C&P Exam for Radius, impairment of (DC 5212)

Read the C&P exam preparation guideWhat happens at the exam, what 38 CFR Part 4 requires the examiner to record, and what to bring.
Diagnostic code: 5212Condition: Radius, impairment ofRegulation: 38 CFR § 4.71aDBQ: DBQ MUSC Elbow and Forearm

Which form the examiner uses

For radius, impairment of (DC 5212), the C&P examiner completes the following Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ):

DBQs are Department of Veterans Affairs Form 21-0960 series documents. Public DBQs are hosted on benefits.va.gov. A handful are examiner-only and are not posted publicly.

What the examiner records

The fields below are reproduced from the DBQ form the examiner completes for this diagnostic code. This is the structural map of the form, showing what the examiner is asked to measure, observe, and record. It is a factual reproduction of the public DBQ, not advice on how to answer.

This DBQ evaluates elbow and forearm conditions including range of motion, ankylosis, surgical procedures, and functional impact.

How DC 5212 maps to this DBQ: for this diagnostic code specifically, the examiner typically completes sections I-III, VIII-IX, and XI-XIII of this form. Section III is the condition-specific section for this code. Sections IV-VII and X cover unrelated conditions on this DBQ and are skipped.

8 of 13 sections apply to DC 5212 on this DBQ
DIAGNOSIS (Section I) MEDICAL HISTORY (Section II) RANGE OF MOTION (ROM) AND FUNCTIONAL LIMITATION (Section III) OTHER PERTINENT PHYSICAL FINDINGS, COMPLICATIONS, CONDITIONS, SIGNS, SYMPTOMS AND SCARS (Section VIII) ASSISTIVE DEVICES (Section IX) DIAGNOSTIC TESTING (Section XI) FUNCTIONAL IMPACT (Section XII) REMARKS (Section XIII)
DIAGNOSIS (Section I)
  • 1A. List the claimed conditions that pertain to this questionnaire: Note: These are the diagnoses determined during this current evaluation of the claimed condition(s) listed above. If there is no diagnosis, if the diagnosis is different from a previous diagnosis for this condition, or if there is a diagnosis of a complication due to the claimed condition, explain your findings and reasons in the…
  • 1B. Select diagnoses associated with the claimed condition(s) (check all that apply): The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis associated with any claimed condition(s) listed above. (Explain your findings and reasons in the Remarks section) Side affected: ICD code: Date of diagnosis: Olecranon bursitis Right Left Both Right: Left: Tricep tendinitis Right Left Both Right: Left: Lateral…
  • 1C. Comments, if any: Note: In all forearm injuries, if there are impaired finger movements due to tendon, muscle, or nerve injuries, also complete the appropriate additional questionnaire(s).
MEDICAL HISTORY (Section II)
  • 2A. Describe the history (including onset and course) of the Veteran's elbow and/or forearm condition (brief summary).
  • 2B. Does the Veteran report flare-ups of the elbow or forearm? Yes No If yes, document the Veteran's description of flare-ups he or she experiences, including the frequency, duration, characteristics, precipitating and alleviating factors, severity and/or extent of the functional impairment he or she experiences during a flare-up of symptoms:
  • 2C. Does the Veteran report having any functional loss or functional impairment of the joint or extremity being evaluated on this questionnaire, including but not limited to after repeated use over time? Yes No If yes, document the Veteran's description of functional loss or functional impairment in his or her own words:
  • 2D. Are there complaints of painful motion on flexion and/or extension? Yes No If yes, check all that apply: Flexion If checked, indicate side: Right Left Both Extension If checked, indicate side: Right Left Both
  • 2E. Are there complaints of painful motion on forearm supination and/or pronation? Yes No If yes, check all that apply: Forearm supination If checked, indicate side: Right Left Both Forearm pronation If checked, indicate side: Right Left Both
RANGE OF MOTION (ROM) AND FUNCTIONAL LIMITATION (Section III)
  • 3A. Initial ROM measurements: Right elbow All Normal Abnormal or outside of normal range Unable to test Not indicated If unable to test or not indicated, please explain:
  • 3B. Observed repetitive use ROM: Right elbow Is the Veteran able to perform repetitive-use testing with at least three repetitions? Yes No If no, please explain:
  • 3C. Repeated use over time: Right elbow Is the Veteran being examined immediately after repeated use over time? Yes No Does procured evidence (statements from the Veteran) suggest pain, fatigability,
  • 3D. Flare-ups: Right elbow Is the examination being conducted during a flare-up? Yes No Does procured evidence (statements from the Veteran) suggest pain, fatigability,
  • 3E. Additional factors contributing to disability: Right elbow In addition to those addressed above, are there additional contributing factors of disability? Please select all that apply and describe: None Interference with
MUSCLE ATROPHY (Section IV)
  • 4A. Does the Veteran have muscle atrophy? Yes No
  • 4B. If yes, is the muscle atrophy due to the claimed condition in the diagnosis section? Yes No If no, provide rationale here:
  • 4C. For any muscle atrophy due to a diagnosis listed in Section 1, indicate specific location of atrophy, providing measurements in centimeters of normal side and corresponding atrophied side, measured at maximum muscle bulk: Right upper extremity: specify location of measurement such as "10cm above or below elbow": Circumference of normal side: cm Circumference of atrophied side: cm
  • 4D. Comments, if any: Left elbow
  • 4A. Does the Veteran have muscle atrophy? Yes No
  • 4B. If yes, is the muscle atrophy due to the claimed condition in the diagnosis section? Yes No If no, provide rationale here:
  • 4C. For any muscle atrophy due to a diagnosis listed in Section 1, indicate specific location of atrophy, providing measurements in centimeters of normal side and corresponding atrophied side, measured at maximum muscle bulk: Left upper extremity: specify location of measurement such as "10cm above or below elbow": Circumference of normal side: cm Circumference of atrophied side: cm
  • 4D. Comments, if any:
ANKYLOSIS (Section V)
  • 5A. Is there ankylosis of the elbow and/or forearm? Yes No If yes, indicate the severity of ankylosis: Favorable ankylosis, at an angle between 90 degrees and 70 degrees Intermediate ankylosis, at an angle of more than 90 degrees, or between 70 and 50 degrees
  • 5B. Indicate angle of ankylosis in degrees: degrees Left elbow
  • 5A. Is there ankylosis of the elbow and/or forearm? Yes No If yes, indicate the severity of ankylosis: Favorable ankylosis, at an angle between 90 degrees and 70 degrees Intermediate ankylosis, at an angle of more than 90 degrees, or between 70 and 50 degrees
  • 5B. Indicate angle of ankylosis in degrees: degrees
OTHER IMPAIRMENTS (Section VI)
  • 6A. Does the Veteran have flail joint, joint fracture, ununited fracture, malaligned fracture, or impairment of supination or pronation? Yes No If yes, indicate condition and complete the appropriate section(s) below: Flail joint Right Left Both Joint fracture Right Left Both With marked cubitus varus deformity Right Left Both With marked cubitus valgus deformity Right Left Both
  • 6B. Comments, if any:
SURGICAL PROCEDURES (Section VII)
  • 7A. Indicate any surgical procedures that the Veteran has had performed and provide the additional information as requested. (check all that apply): No surgery Total elbow joint replacement: Date of surgery: Residuals:
  • 7A. Indicate any surgical procedures that the Veteran has had performed and provide the additional information as requested. (check all that apply): No surgery Total elbow joint replacement: Date of surgery: Residuals:
OTHER PERTINENT PHYSICAL FINDINGS, COMPLICATIONS, CONDITIONS, SIGNS, SYMPTOMS AND SCARS (Section VIII)
  • 8A. Does the Veteran have any other pertinent physical findings, complications, conditions, signs, and/or symptoms related to any of the conditions listed in the diagnosis section? Yes No If yes, describe (brief summary):
  • 8B. Does the Veteran have any scars or other disfigurement of the skin related to any of the conditions, or to the treatment of any of the conditions, listed in the diagnosis section? Yes No If yes, also complete the appropriate dermatological questionnaire.
  • 8C. Comments, if any:
ASSISTIVE DEVICES (Section IX)
  • 9A. Does the Veteran use any assistive devices? Yes No If yes, identify the assistive devices used (check all that apply and indicate frequency): Brace Frequency of use: Occasional Regular Constant Other: Frequency of use: Occasional Regular Constant
  • 9B. If the Veteran uses any assistive devices, specify the condition, indicate the side, and identify the assistive device used for each condition:
REMAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTION OF THE EXTREMITIES (Section X)
  • 10A. Due to the Veteran's elbow and/or forearm condition(s), is there functional impairment of an extremity such that no effective function remains other than that which would be equally well-served by an amputation with prosthesis? Functions of the upper extremity include grasping, manipulation, etc. Yes, functioning is so diminished that amputation with prosthesis would equally serve the…
  • 10B. For each extremity checked, identify the condition causing loss of function, describe loss of effective function, and provide specific examples in a brief summary:
DIAGNOSTIC TESTING (Section XI)
  • 11A. Have imaging studies been performed in conjunction with this examination? Yes No
  • 11B. If yes, is degenerative or post-traumatic arthritis documented? Yes No If yes, indicate side: Right Left Both
  • 11C. If yes, provide type of test or procedure, date, and results (brief summary):
  • 11D. Are there any other significant diagnostic test findings or results related to the claimed condition(s) and/or diagnosis(es), that were reviewed in conjunction with this exam? Yes No If yes, provide type of test or procedure, date, and results (brief summary):
  • 11E. If any test results are other-than-normal, indicate relationship of abnormal findings to diagnosed conditions:
FUNCTIONAL IMPACT (Section XII)
  • 12A. Regardless of the Veteran's current employment status, do the conditions listed in the diagnosis section impact his/her ability to perform any type of occupational task (such as standing, walking, lifting, sitting, etc.)? Yes No If yes, describe the functional impact of each condition, providing one or more examples:
REMARKS (Section XIII)
  • 13A. Remarks (if any - please identify the section to which the remark pertains when appropriate).

Rating Levels for DC 5212

The following tiers are reproduced from 38 CFR Part 4, the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities. Toggle between the official VA criteria and a Plain English explanation.

Plain-English summaries are AI-generated to explain the official criteria. The official 38 CFR language is the binding legal standard. When in doubt, ask a VSO.

Evidence cited in published BVA decisions for DC 5212

The counts below are aggregated from published Board of Veterans Appeals decisions for this diagnostic code. Each row reports how often a given evidence type was discussed in the decision text, broken down by outcome. This is a factual aggregate of the public record, not a prediction or recommendation about any specific claim.

  • VA examination: appeared in 1 granted decision (3 denied, 4 remanded; 8 total)
  • Private medical opinion: appeared in 0 granted decisions (3 denied, 0 remanded; 3 total)
  • Buddy / lay statements: appeared in 0 granted decisions (1 denied, 2 remanded; 3 total)
  • Service treatment records: appeared in 0 granted decisions (0 denied, 1 remanded; 1 total)
View the full DC 5212 pageSearch BVA decisions for this codeAbout DBQ forms

Disclaimer: This page reproduces public Department of Veterans Affairs forms (DBQs) and verbatim text from 38 CFR Part 4 (the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities). It is informational only and is not legal or medical advice. For guidance on a specific claim, contact a VA-accredited representative.