Body system: Musculoskeletal SystemRegulation: 38 CFR § 4.71aDBQ: DBQ MUSC Wrist
DC 5215 covers limitation of motion of the wrist. The VA rates it at 10% for either arm when dorsiflexion (bending the hand back) is less than 15 degrees, or when palmar flexion (bending the hand down) is limited in line with the forearm (38 CFR 4.71a). Ankylosis of the wrist is rated under DC 5214.
Rating levels
- 10% — You qualify if you cannot bend your wrist backward (dorsiflexion is lifting your hand up toward your forearm) to at least 15 degrees from the neutral position. Normal wrist dorsiflexion is about 70 degrees, so this rating applies when your upward wrist movement is severely limited to less than 15 degrees.
- 10% — You qualify if you cannot bend your wrist backward (dorsiflexion is lifting your hand up toward your forearm) to at least 15 degrees from the neutral position. Normal wrist dorsiflexion is about 70 degrees, so this rating applies when your upward wrist movement is severely limited to less than 15 degrees.
- 10% — Your wrist cannot bend downward toward your palm at all - it can only move to where your hand forms a straight line with your forearm (palmar flexion is the motion of bending your wrist so your palm moves toward the underside of your forearm). This represents a significant loss of normal wrist flexibility where the joint is essentially locked in a neutral, straight position.
- 10% — Your wrist cannot bend downward toward your palm at all - it can only move to where your hand forms a straight line with your forearm (palmar flexion is the motion of bending your wrist so your palm moves toward the underside of your forearm). This represents a significant loss of normal wrist flexibility where the joint is essentially locked in a neutral, straight position.