Paralysis of the musculocutaneous nerve, which may cause weakness in elbow flexion and forearm sensation loss.
Medical records and examination findings that document the degree of motor and sensory loss in the affected arm are central to this rating. For a complete rating, records showing weakness of elbow flexion and forearm supination — but not total loss of those movements — in your dominant or nondominant arm support the higher end of the scale. Nerve conduction studies or electromyography (EMG) results that show the extent of nerve damage can help show whether paralysis is complete or incomplete, and how severe it is.
For incomplete paralysis at the severe or moderate level, exam findings documenting measurable loss of strength, reduced range of motion, or sensory deficits in the distribution of the musculocutaneous nerve are relevant. If your symptoms are purely sensory with no motor involvement, the regulation limits the rating to mild or moderate at most.
Your own statements, and statements from people who know you, describing how weakness or numbness in the arm affects tasks at work or in daily life — such as difficulty lifting, carrying, or rotating your forearm — can help show the functional impact of the condition.
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.
