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VA diagnostic code directory

Browse VA Diagnostic Codes by Body Area

Start with the place that hurts or is not working normally. You can still browse every VA body system below.

Arm and elbow conditions

41 diagnostic codes

Selected area: Your left arm and elbow

These codes can cover either side, both sides, or more than one body part. Check each description.

DC 5052Elbow replacement (prosthesis)

This diagnostic code covers veterans who have had their elbow joint replaced with an artificial joint (prosthesis). The VA automatically gives you a 100% rat...

DC 5120Complete amputation, upper extremity

This diagnostic code covers complete amputation of your entire arm or significant portions of it. The VA rates these amputations at either 90% or 100% depend...

DC 5121Above insertion of deltoid

Diagnostic Code 5121 covers amputations or complete loss of use of your arm above where the deltoid muscle attaches (that's the point muscle on your shoulder...

DC 5122Below insertion of deltoid

This diagnostic code covers amputation or complete loss of use of your arm below where the deltoid muscle attaches (basically below your shoulder muscle). Th...

DC 5123Above insertion of pronator teres

Diagnostic Code 5123 covers amputations or complete loss of use of your arm above where the pronator teres muscle attaches (roughly the middle of your forear...

DC 5124Below insertion of pronator teres

Diagnostic Code 5124 covers amputations or complete loss of use of your forearm below where the pronator teres muscle attaches (roughly the middle of your fo...

DC 5205Elbow, ankylosis of

Elbow ankylosis means your elbow joint has become completely stiff and fused in one position - you can't bend or straighten it at all. The VA rates this cond...

DC 5206Forearm, limitation of flexion of

This diagnostic code covers conditions where you can't bend your elbow normally - specifically when your ability to flex (bend) your forearm toward your uppe...

DC 5207Forearm, limitation of extension of

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 degree...

DC 5208Forearm, flexion limited to 100° and extension to 45°

This diagnostic code covers limited movement in your forearm - specifically when you can only bend it to 100 degrees and extend it to 45 degrees from the neu...

DC 5209Elbow, other impairment of Flail joint

This diagnostic code covers severe elbow problems, including a 'flail joint' (where your elbow has lost almost all stability and moves abnormally) and badly...

DC 5210Radius and ulna, nonunion of, with flail false joint

This condition involves a complete failure of broken radius and ulna bones (the two bones in your forearm) to heal properly, creating what's called a 'flail...

DC 5211Ulna, impairment of

This rating covers injuries to your ulna, which is one of the two bones in your forearm (the one on your pinky side). The VA rates ulna impairment based on h...

DC 5212Radius, impairment of

This rating covers injuries to your radius bone - one of the two bones in your forearm that runs from your elbow to your thumb side of your wrist. The VA rat...

DC 5213Supination and pronation, impairment of

This condition affects your ability to rotate your forearm and hand - supination means turning your palm up (like holding soup), while pronation means turnin...

DC 5305Group V. Function: Elbow supination (1) (long head of biceps is stabilizer of shoulder joint); flexion of elbow (1, 2, 3). Flexor muscles of elbow: (1) Biceps; (2) brachialis; (3) brachioradialis

This diagnostic code covers injuries to the muscles that help you rotate your forearm palm-up (supination) and bend your elbow - specifically the biceps, bra...

DC 5306Group VI. Function: Extension of elbow (long head of triceps is stabilizer of shoulder joint). Extensor muscles of the elbow: (1) Triceps; (2) anconeus

This diagnostic code covers injuries to the muscles that straighten your elbow - mainly the triceps muscle on the back of your upper arm. The VA rates these...

DC 5307Group VII. Function: Flexion of wrist and fingers. Muscles arising from internal condyle of humerus: Flexors of the carpus and long flexors of fingers and thumb; pronator

Diagnostic Code 5307 covers injuries to the muscles that help you bend your wrist and fingers - specifically the muscles that attach to the inside bump of yo...

DC 5308Group VIII. Function: Extension of wrist, fingers, and thumb; abduction of thumb. Muscles arising mainly from external condyle of humerus: Extensors of carpus, fingers, and thumb; supinator

This diagnostic code covers muscle injuries that affect your ability to extend (straighten out) your wrist, fingers, and thumb, plus spread your thumb away f...

DC 5309Group IX. Function: The forearm muscles act in strong grasping movements and are supplemented by the intrinsic muscles in delicate manipulative movements. Intrinsic muscles of hand: Thenar eminence; short flexor, opponens, abductor and adductor of thumb; hypothenar eminence; short flexor, opponens and abductor of little finger; 4 lumbricales; 4 dorsal and 3 palmar interossei

Diagnostic Code 5309 covers injuries to the small muscles in your hand and forearm that control gripping and fine finger movements - like the muscles that he...

DC 8510Paralysis of upper radicular group (fifth and sixth cervicals)

Diagnostic Code 8510 covers paralysis of the musculospiral nerve, which controls movement in your shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand. This nerve runs down your...

DC 8511Paralysis of middle radicular group

This diagnostic code covers paralysis (loss of movement and function) of the radial nerve, which controls movement in your arm, elbow, and wrist. The VA rate...

DC 8513Paralysis of all radicular groups

Diagnostic code 8513 covers paralysis (complete loss of muscle function and movement) in specific body parts, though the VA Schedule doesn't specify which bo...

DC 8514Paralysis of musculospiral nerve (radial nerve)

Diagnostic Code 8514 covers paralysis of the radial nerve, which controls your ability to lift your hand at the wrist and extend your fingers and thumb. The...

DC 8515Paralysis of median nerve

This diagnostic code covers paralysis of the median nerve, which controls movement and sensation in your thumb, index, and middle fingers. The VA rates this...

DC 8516Paralysis of ulnar nerve

This diagnostic code covers paralysis of the ulnar nerve, which controls movement and sensation in your hand and fingers, particularly your ring finger and p...

DC 8517Paralysis of musculocutaneous nerve

Diagnostic Code 8517 covers paralysis of muscles, which means partial or complete loss of muscle function due to nerve damage. The VA rates this condition ba...

DC 8610Neuritis of upper radicular group (fifth and sixth cervicals)

Neuritis is inflammation or damage to nerves that can cause pain, numbness, weakness, or loss of function in affected areas. The VA rates neuritis under this...

DC 8611Neuritis of middle radicular group

Neuritis is inflammation or irritation of nerves that can cause pain, weakness, numbness, or loss of function in your arms or hands. The VA rates neuritis us...

DC 8613Neuritis of all radicular groups

Neuritis is inflammation of one or more nerves that can cause pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness. The VA rates neuritis using the same scale as paralysis...

DC 8614Neuritis of musculospiral nerve (radial nerve)

Neuritis is inflammation of a nerve that can cause pain, weakness, and loss of function in the affected area. Under diagnostic code 8614, the VA rates neurit...

DC 8615Neuritis of median nerve

Neuritis is inflammation or irritation of a nerve that causes pain, weakness, and loss of function. Under diagnostic code 8615, the VA rates neuritis the sam...

DC 8616Neuritis of ulnar nerve

Neuritis is nerve inflammation that causes pain, weakness, and loss of function in the affected area. Under diagnostic code 8616, the VA rates neuritis the s...

DC 8617Neuritis of musculocutaneous nerve

Neuritis is inflammation of your nerves that can cause pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness in the affected area. The VA rates neuritis under this code by t...

DC 8710Neuralgia of upper radicular group (fifth and sixth cervicals)

Neuralgia is severe nerve pain, often described as burning, stabbing, or electric shock-like sensations along a nerve pathway. Under diagnostic code 8710, th...

DC 8711Neuralgia of middle radicular group

Neuralgia is severe, shooting nerve pain that follows specific nerve pathways in your body. The VA rates neuralgia by treating it the same as paralysis of th...

DC 8713Neuralgia of all radicular groups

Neuralgia is nerve pain that can feel like sharp, shooting, burning, or electric shock-like sensations along a nerve pathway. The VA rates neuralgia under th...

DC 8714Neuralgia of musculospiral nerve (radial nerve)

Neuralgia is nerve pain that can be severe and debilitating. Under diagnostic code 8714, the VA rates neuralgia based on how much it affects your ability to...

DC 8715Neuralgia of median nerve

Neuralgia under this code refers to nerve pain and damage that affects your hand and wrist function, specifically involving the median nerve (which controls...

DC 8716Neuralgia of ulnar nerve

Neuralgia is nerve pain that can cause severe, shooting, or burning sensations along nerve pathways. Under diagnostic code 8716, the VA rates neuralgia using...

DC 8717Neuralgia of musculocutaneous nerve

Neuralgia is nerve pain that feels like sharp, shooting, or burning sensations along the path of a damaged nerve. The VA rates neuralgia using the same crite...

Browse every diagnostic code

Use the body map above, or open a body system below to browse every diagnostic code.

Musculoskeletal System (162 codes)
Muscle Injuries (31 codes)
Eye (45 codes)
Ear (12 codes)
Smell and Taste (2 codes)
Infectious Diseases, Immune Disorders, and Nutritional Deficiencies (31 codes)
Respiratory System (61 codes)
Cardiovascular System (33 codes)
Digestive System (51 codes)
Genitourinary System (40 codes)
Gynecological Conditions (20 codes)
Hemic and Lymphatic Systems (21 codes)
Skin (30 codes)
Endocrine System (19 codes)
Neurological Conditions and Convulsive Disorders (119 codes)
Mental Disorders (33 codes)
Dental and Oral Conditions (15 codes)

Disclaimer: This tool is for informational purposes only and is not legal or medical advice. Always consult with your VSO representative or a qualified veterans benefits attorney for guidance on your specific claim.