The Playbook › Condition guides
Rotator cuff tears, impingement, labral tears, arthritis, and dislocations are all common after years of lifting, carrying, and overhead work in service. Whatever the diagnosis, VA rates most shoulder conditions on one thing: how high you can raise your arm.
Two features set shoulder ratings apart. The lowest rating for limited motion is 20%, not 10%. And your dominant arm is rated higher than the other.
The short version
- Limited arm motion is rated under Diagnostic Code 5201 at 20%, 30%, or 40%.
- The test is how far you can raise the arm forward (flexion) or out to the side (abduction).
- The dominant (“major”) arm gets the higher figure at the 30% and 40% levels.
- A painful shoulder with motion above shoulder level generally supports at least 10%.
- Recurrent dislocations and collarbone problems have their own codes.
On this page
Limited motion of the arm, Diagnostic Code 5201
A normal shoulder raises the arm to 180 degrees, straight overhead, both forward and out to the side. Shoulder level is 90 degrees.
| How high the arm can be raised | Dominant arm | Non-dominant arm |
|---|---|---|
| To shoulder level (limited to 90 degrees) | 20% | 20% |
| Midway between the side and shoulder level (limited to 45 degrees) | 30% | 20% |
| To 25 degrees from the side | 40% | 30% |
Either flexion or abduction can qualify. The examiner should measure both.
Which arm is dominant
VA decides this from the evidence, including which hand you write with. Only one arm is treated as dominant. If you are ambidextrous, the injured arm is treated as the dominant one. Make sure the exam report records your dominant hand correctly, because it changes the rating at the higher levels.
When motion is above shoulder level
Many veterans can raise the arm past 90 degrees, but with pain. Under VA’s painful motion rule, a joint that is actually painful because of a healed injury or arthritis is entitled to at least the minimum compensable rating for that joint. In practice this often produces 10% for a shoulder that does not meet the 20% criteria on the numbers.
The examiner must also account for:
- Where pain begins in the movement, not only where it ends
- Loss of motion after repeated use
- Additional loss during flare-ups
- Weakness, fatigue, and loss of coordination
If pain stops you at shoulder level, tell the examiner and stop there. Do not push through to show effort.
Other shoulder codes
| Code | Condition | Rating range |
|---|---|---|
| 5200 | Ankylosis: the shoulder joint is fixed in place | 20% to 50%, depending on position and arm |
| 5202 | Humerus: recurrent dislocation, malunion, or more serious loss | 20% to 80% |
| 5203 | Collarbone or shoulder blade: malunion, nonunion, or dislocation | 10% to 20% |
For recurrent dislocation under code 5202, infrequent episodes with guarding of movement only at shoulder level are rated 20%. Frequent episodes with guarding of all arm movements are rated 30% for the dominant arm and 20% for the other.
Rotator cuff tears have no code of their own. They are usually rated under 5201, on range of motion.
A shoulder replacement is rated at 100% for a recovery period after surgery, then on the remaining symptoms. See temporary ratings in the rating increase guide.
Getting service connected
- Direct. An injury, dislocation, or surgery in service, or repeated treatment for shoulder pain. Jobs with heavy lifting or overhead work, parachute landings, and falls are common causes. Arthritis that appears to a compensable degree within a year of discharge is presumed service connected.
- Secondary. Overusing one shoulder to protect the other, or a neck condition contributing to shoulder problems. See secondary conditions.
At the C&P exam
- State your dominant hand.
- Stop where pain begins, in each direction.
- Describe flare-ups: after lifting, reaching, sleeping on that side, and how long they last.
- Describe instability: slipping, popping out, or guarding against movement.
- Give examples: reaching a shelf, putting on a coat, washing your hair, lifting a child, driving.
- Explain the effect on work.
The examiner should measure with a goniometer, test after repetition, and compare with the other shoulder. See the C&P exam guide.
Evidence that helps
- MRI or X-ray reports
- Orthopedic and physical therapy records with measured range of motion
- Surgical records
- Records of injections and other treatment
- A personal statement describing daily limits and flare-ups
- A private DBQ from your own provider, if you can get one
Related ratings to check
- Nerve symptoms down the arm from a neck condition are rated separately. See radiculopathy.
- Surgical scars that are painful or unstable can be rated.
- Both shoulders rated together qualify for the bilateral factor. See VA math.
Free printable checklist. Everything to gather before you file, what to bring to your C&P exam, and what to check in your decision, on two pages.
Last reviewed October 2026. This guide is general educational information, not legal or medical advice, and this site is not affiliated with the Department of Veterans Affairs. Rules and rates change. Confirm details on VA.gov or with an accredited representative. See our disclaimer and editorial policy.