Diagnostic Code 5202 · 38 CFR §4.71a
DC 5202 covers various impairments of the humerus, which is the upper arm bone connecting your shoulder to your elbow. This includes malunion where the bone heals in a misaligned position, recurrent dislocation of the shoulder at the upper end of the humerus, fibrous union where the fracture heals with scar tissue instead of solid bone, nonunion where the fracture fails to heal, and loss of the humeral head. Each of these conditions affects shoulder function differently but all result from structural damage to the bone. Veterans commonly develop these conditions from falls, combat injuries, training accidents, or heavy overhead work during service.
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 80% | |
| 70% | |
| 60% | |
| 50% | |
| 30% | |
| 20% |
Imaging showing the specific humerus impairment such as malunion, nonunion, or bone loss, Medical records documenting the original injury during service, History of dislocations with dates and circumstances, Range of motion measurements of the shoulder, Documentation of which arm is dominant