VeteranDisabilityCalculator.com
Diagnostic Codes 5200-5203 · Musculoskeletal

Shoulder VA Rating

The VA rates shoulder injuries on how far you can raise your arm, not on the diagnosis itself. Arm motion limited to shoulder level rates 20% (the most common level), paying $356.66/month in 2026. Dominant arm limitation rates higher than non-dominant at the upper levels.

10%Painful Motion or Clavicle Impairment$180.42/mo
20%Arm Limited to Shoulder Level$356.66/mo
30%Arm Limited Midway (Dominant) or to 25 Degrees (Non-Dominant)$552.47/mo
40%Dominant Arm Limited to 25 Degrees from Side$795.84/mo
50%Unfavorable Ankylosis, Dominant Arm$1,132.90/mo
80%Loss of Humeral Head (Flail Shoulder), Dominant Arm$2,102.15/mo

Rating Criteria by Level

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, shoulder disabilities are rated under four diagnostic codes: 5200 (ankylosis of the scapulohumeral articulation), 5201 (limitation of arm motion), 5202 (impairment of the humerus), and 5203 (impairment of the clavicle or scapula). Most claims are decided under DC 5201, which measures how many degrees you can abduct or flex the arm. The percentages below reflect the dominant (major) arm unless noted.

10%Painful Motion or Clavicle Impairment
$180.42/mo

Criteria: Painful or noncompensable limited motion of the shoulder joint under 38 CFR 4.59, degenerative arthritis with x-ray evidence under DC 5003, or malunion of the clavicle or scapula under DC 5203.

This is the entry-level shoulder rating. You do not need severe restriction to qualify. If a C&P examiner documents objective pain on motion, crepitus, or arthritis confirmed by imaging, the minimum compensable rating for the joint applies even when your measured range of motion is close to normal.

20%Arm Limited to Shoulder Level
$356.66/mo

Criteria: Arm motion (abduction or forward flexion) is limited to shoulder level, meaning roughly 90 degrees. Also assigned for nonunion of the clavicle or scapula with loose movement, or dislocation of the clavicle or scapula, under DC 5203.

This is the most common shoulder rating and the level most rotator cuff tears, labral tears, and chronic impingement cases land on. Importantly, 20% applies to both the dominant and non-dominant arm, so there is no major or minor split at this level. Two shoulders at 20% each combine to 40% with the bilateral factor applied.

Most common rating: same for dominant and non-dominant arm
30%Arm Limited Midway (Dominant) or to 25 Degrees (Non-Dominant)
$552.47/mo

Criteria: Dominant arm: motion limited midway between the side and shoulder level (roughly 45 degrees). Non-dominant arm: motion limited to 25 degrees from the side. Also assigned for favorable ankylosis of the scapulohumeral articulation on the non-dominant side under DC 5200.

At this level the shoulder is substantially frozen. Reaching a shelf, driving with one hand raised, or carrying a bag on the shoulder becomes impractical. Range of motion must be measured after repetitive use testing, because flare-ups and fatigue often reveal worse limitation than the first measurement shows.

40%Dominant Arm Limited to 25 Degrees from Side
$795.84/mo

Criteria: Dominant (major) arm motion limited to 25 degrees from the side under DC 5201, or unfavorable ankylosis of the scapulohumeral articulation on the non-dominant side, or fibrous union of the humerus on the non-dominant side under DC 5202.

A 40% rating means the dominant arm barely leaves the body. This level is normally supported by post-surgical records, documented adhesive capsulitis, or advanced degenerative joint disease. Veterans at this level frequently have secondary cervical spine and elbow claims from compensatory movement patterns.

50%Unfavorable Ankylosis, Dominant Arm
$1,132.90/mo

Criteria: Unfavorable ankylosis of the scapulohumeral articulation on the dominant arm: the scapula and humerus move as one piece and abduction is limited to 25 degrees from the side, under DC 5200.

Ankylosis means the joint is fused, either surgically or by disease process, and no longer moves independently. This is a permanent structural finding rather than a pain-limited measurement, so it is documented by imaging and physical exam rather than goniometer readings alone.

80%Loss of Humeral Head (Flail Shoulder), Dominant Arm
$2,102.15/mo

Criteria: Loss of the head of the humerus, described in the rating schedule as a flail shoulder, on the dominant arm under DC 5202. The non-dominant arm at the same severity rates 70%.

This is the maximum schedular rating for a shoulder disability and is uncommon outside of severe traumatic injury or oncologic resection. Veterans at this level should also be evaluated for special monthly compensation based on loss of use of an upper extremity.

How to Service-Connect a Shoulder Condition

Service connection requires a current diagnosis, an in-service event or injury, and a medical nexus linking the two. Shoulder claims are typically established one of three ways:

Direct Service Connection

A documented in-service shoulder injury, dislocation, or repetitive strain from rucking, overhead work, weapons handling, or airborne operations. Sick call entries, physical therapy referrals, and temporary profiles in your service treatment records are the strongest evidence.

Secondary to Cervical Spine

Nerve impingement from a service-connected cervical spine condition can produce shoulder weakness and pain. If the shoulder impairment stems from radiculopathy rather than the joint itself, the nerve code may pay more than the orthopedic code.

Secondary to Another Joint

Overuse of one shoulder to compensate for a service-connected opposite shoulder, elbow, or lower extremity condition can support secondary connection. Veterans who use a cane or crutch long term frequently develop shoulder pathology on the weight-bearing side.

What Happens at Your C&P Exam

The examiner completes the shoulder and arm Disability Benefits Questionnaire. For a shoulder claim they will typically:

  • Confirm which arm is dominant, since it changes the rating at higher levels
  • Measure abduction and forward flexion with a goniometer in degrees
  • Repeat the measurements after three repetitions to test for additional loss
  • Ask about flare-ups and estimate range of motion during a flare
  • Test for instability, guarding, crepitus, and pain on palpation
  • Review imaging for arthritis, tears, ankylosis, or humeral impairment
  • Note any scars from prior shoulder surgery, which can be rated separately

Do not push through pain to demonstrate a better range of motion. The rating depends on where motion becomes painful, not where it becomes physically impossible. Report your worst days honestly, because flare-up limitation is part of the rating decision under the DeLuca and Sharp precedents.

Secondary Conditions to a Shoulder Disability

Once the shoulder is service-connected, conditions it caused or worsened can be filed as secondary claims. Each carries its own rating and adds to your combined total.

Cervical Spine Strain

Compensatory posture and guarding load the neck. Rated 10 to 100% on cervical range of motion.

Radiculopathy

Nerve involvement causing numbness or weakness down the arm. Rated 10 to 40% per extremity, separately from the joint.

Opposite Shoulder

Overuse of the good shoulder to compensate. Rated on its own arm motion under the same DC 5201 scale.

Elbow and Wrist

Altered upper extremity mechanics transfer stress downstream. Each joint is rated separately on its own range of motion.

Depression

Chronic pain and lost function are recognized causes of secondary mood disorders. Rated 0 to 100% on the mental disorders scale.

Surgical Scars

Painful or unstable scars from rotator cuff repair or replacement surgery are rated separately from the joint.

SourcesLast reviewed: July 2026

Shoulder VA Rating FAQ

What is the VA rating for a rotator cuff tear?
The tear itself is not rated. The VA rates how much it limits arm motion under DC 5201. Arm motion limited to shoulder level (about 90 degrees) rates 20%, paying $356.66 per month at 2026 rates. Worse limitation rates 30% or 40% depending on which arm is dominant.
Does the VA rate the dominant arm higher than the non-dominant arm?
Yes. The rating schedule splits arm and shoulder codes into major (dominant) and minor (non-dominant). At the top of DC 5201 the dominant arm rates 40% and the non-dominant arm rates 30%. At the 20% level both arms rate identically.
Can I get a VA rating for shoulder pain with normal range of motion?
Yes. Under 38 CFR 4.59, painful motion in a major joint warrants the minimum compensable rating for that joint. For the shoulder this generally means 10%. The examiner must document objective evidence of pain, such as grimacing, guarding, or pain on palpation.
Can both shoulders be rated separately?
Yes. Each shoulder gets its own rating, and bilateral shoulder disabilities qualify for the bilateral factor. Two shoulders at 20% each combine to 36%, the bilateral factor adds 10 percent of that value, and the result rounds to 40%.
What is the highest VA rating for a shoulder condition?
The ceiling is 80% under DC 5202 for loss of the humeral head (flail shoulder) on the dominant arm. That is rare. Most veterans top out at 40% for dominant arm motion limited to 25 degrees from the side.
Is shoulder impingement service-connected for veterans?
It commonly is. Repetitive overhead work, rucking with heavy loads, weapons handling, and airborne operations all stress the shoulder. In-service sick call visits, physical therapy referrals, or a temporary profile for shoulder pain are strong direct service connection evidence.
Will shoulder surgery change my VA rating?
It can. After a shoulder replacement or major reconstruction the VA typically assigns a 100% temporary rating for a convalescence period, then reevaluates on residual range of motion. A prosthetic shoulder replacement carries its own minimum rating under DC 5051.
What secondary conditions come from a shoulder disability?
The most common are cervical spine strain from compensatory posture, opposite shoulder overuse, elbow and wrist conditions from altered mechanics, and depression or anxiety from chronic pain and loss of function. Each is filed as its own secondary claim with a nexus opinion.