Reduced ability to straighten the forearm at the elbow joint.
The key piece of evidence is a measurement of how many degrees of extension you can achieve in your forearm. This is typically recorded during a VA or private medical examination using a goniometer, which measures joint angles. The examiner documents the endpoint of your active motion — how far you can actually straighten your arm — and compares it to the rating criteria.
Medical records showing repeated range-of-motion measurements over time can help establish how consistently your extension is limited. If pain stops you from reaching full extension, exam notes that document pain at end range are relevant. Records from treating physicians, physical therapists, or orthopedic specialists that describe your functional limitations add context. Statements from you or people who know you — describing difficulty with tasks that require straightening your arm, such as lifting, pushing, or reaching — can help show how the limitation affects your daily life and work.
Conditions that are often caused or made worse by this one. If you have any of these, they may be claimable as secondary service connection.
