Body system: Musculoskeletal SystemRegulation: 38 CFR § 4.71a
This condition covers when your forearm can't fully extend (straighten out) at the elbow due to injury or disease. The VA rates this based on how many degrees you can extend your arm, with normal extension being around 180 degrees. The more limited your extension, the higher your rating - from 10% if you can extend to 45 degrees, up to 40% if you can only extend to 110 degrees.
Rating levels
- 50% — You cannot fully straighten your forearm - when you try to extend it (straighten it out), you can only get it to 110 degrees instead of the normal 180 degrees that would be completely straight. This means your arm is stuck in a bent position and you've lost significant ability to straighten it out.
- 40% — Your forearm can only extend (straighten out) to 110 degrees instead of the normal 180 degrees when you fully extend your arm. This means you have significant limitation in straightening your arm, with your elbow unable to reach a fully straight position and stopping well short of normal extension.
- 40% — Your forearm can only extend (straighten out) to a 100-degree angle, which means you cannot fully straighten your arm. A normal, healthy arm can extend to about 180 degrees (completely straight), so this rating applies when your extension is significantly limited to just over half of normal range.
- 30% — Your elbow can only straighten out to a 100-degree angle instead of the normal 180 degrees (completely straight). This means you have significant difficulty fully extending your arm, with your elbow stuck at about a right angle even when you try to straighten it completely.
- 30% — Your forearm can only extend (straighten out) to a 90-degree angle, which means you cannot fully straighten your arm. When you try to extend your forearm from a bent position, it stops at a right angle instead of reaching the normal straight position of 180 degrees.
- 20% — You cannot fully straighten your arm at the elbow joint - you can only extend (straighten) it to a 90-degree angle, which means your arm is stuck in a bent position like an "L" shape. This limitation prevents you from completely opening your arm to its natural straight position.
- 20% — You can only extend (straighten out) your forearm to 75 degrees instead of the normal full extension. This means when you try to straighten your arm completely, it stops well short of being fully straight, creating a noticeable bend at the elbow that limits your arm's range of motion.
- 20% — You can only extend (straighten out) your forearm to 75 degrees instead of the normal full extension. This means when you try to straighten your arm completely, it stops well short of being fully straight, creating a noticeable bend at the elbow that limits your arm's range of motion.
- 10% — Your forearm can only extend (straighten out) to 60 degrees instead of the normal 180 degrees when you try to fully straighten your arm. This means you have significant limitation in your ability to fully extend your arm, with your elbow only able to straighten about one-third of the way to completely straight.
- 10% — Your forearm can only extend (straighten out) to 60 degrees instead of the normal 180 degrees when you try to fully straighten your arm. This means you have significant limitation in your ability to fully extend your arm, with your elbow only able to straighten about one-third of the way to completely straight.
- 10% — You cannot straighten your forearm completely - you can only extend it (straighten it out) to a 45-degree angle instead of being able to make it completely straight. This means there's a significant limitation in your ability to fully open or extend your arm at the elbow joint.
- 10% — You cannot straighten your forearm completely - you can only extend it (straighten it out) to a 45-degree angle instead of being able to make it completely straight. This means there's a significant limitation in your ability to fully open or extend your arm at the elbow joint.