Upper arm amputation below deltoid attachment

Medical records that document the exact level of amputation are central to this rating. An operative report, surgical pathology report, or other record that shows the amputation occurred below the insertion of the deltoid muscle supports rating under diagnostic code 5122 rather than a higher or lower level code. A VA compensation and pension examination that confirms the residual limb length and its relationship to the deltoid attachment directly ties the anatomy to the rating criteria. Records noting which arm is your dominant or writing hand help establish whether the major (80%) or minor (70%) rating applies. Statements from you or people who know you — describing how the loss of that arm affects your ability to work, perform self-care, or carry out daily activities — can support the overall picture, though the percentage itself turns on the level and side of amputation as documented in the medical evidence.