Claiming Shoulder Pain / Rotator Cuff?
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VA Rating Tiers
40%
elevation 25 or less
30%
elevation 26 to 60
20%
elevation 61 to 90
10%
elevation above 90
0%
Meets minimum criteria
Rating Notes
- ›40%: Arm limited to 25° from the side — major (dominant) arm. Non-dominant arm rates 30%. DC 5201.
- ›30%: Arm raised beyond 25° but not to 60° from the side — major arm. Minor arm rates 20%. DC 5201.
- ›20%: Arm raised beyond 60° but not to shoulder level (90°) — major arm. Minor arm rates 10%. DC 5201.
- ›10%: Arm raised to shoulder level (90°) or above — minimal limitation, same rate for both arms. DC 5201.
- ›0%: Motion largely preserved — service connected but below minimum threshold. DC 5201.
- ›DC 5201 (arm, limitation of motion) is the most common shoulder rating code.
- ›Ratings differ for the dominant (major) vs. non-dominant (minor) arm — the estimates above reflect the major arm.
- ›Post-surgical shoulders may receive a temporary 100% rating during the first year of active recovery.
- ›Rotator cuff tears may also be rated under DC 5202 (other humerus impairment) in severe cases.
- ›Shoulder bursitis (DC 5019) is rated by analogy to the limitation it causes — same ROM formula applies.
- ›Actual rating depends on goniometer measurements taken at the C&P exam.
Eligibility Basics
✅
Current symptoms
✅
In-service event
✅
Diagnosis or lay evidence
- •Shoulder conditions are primarily rated on range of motion — specifically how high the arm can be raised to the side (abduction).
- •Whether the shoulder is the dominant (major) or non-dominant (minor) arm affects the rating percentage.
- •Rotator cuff tears, bursitis, and labral injuries may all be rated under the shoulder limitation codes.
- •Post-surgical shoulders may qualify for a temporary 100% rating during active recovery.
Evidence to Gather
Service Records
- •sick call records for shoulder pain, injury, or treatment
- •records of shoulder surgery or physical therapy during service
- •injury reports for falls, load-bearing accidents, or physical training incidents
- •profile or limited duty documents for shoulder condition
- •separation physical noting shoulder problems
Medical Evidence
- •orthopedic or sports medicine evaluation with range of motion measurements
- •MRI of shoulder (rotator cuff, labrum, bursa)
- •X-ray of shoulder or AC joint
- •physical therapy records
- •surgical records and post-op notes
Lay Evidence (Buddy Statements)
- •statement describing the in-service event, injury, or duty demands that caused shoulder problems
- •statement describing how limited shoulder function affects work and daily life
- •buddy statement noting observed shoulder injury or limitations during service
Diagnostic Tests
- •MRI of shoulder
- •X-ray of shoulder or AC joint
- •goniometer range of motion measurement
- •orthopedic special tests (Neer, Hawkins, Speed's, O'Brien's)
- •arthrogram or MRI arthrogram (for labral tears)
C&P Exam Preparation
Exam type: Orthopedic / Upper Extremity
Be ready to describe
- •the in-service event or gradual cause that started the problem
- •which shoulder is affected and whether it is your dominant arm
- •how high you can raise your arm and what movement hurts most
- •nighttime pain and whether it disrupts sleep
- •how the shoulder affects reaching, lifting, and carrying
Prep notes
- •Move through the full range of motion honestly — stop when it genuinely hurts.
- •Describe your worst days, not just a good day.
- •Mention whether the shoulder wakes you up at night — this is specifically relevant to rating criteria.
- •If both shoulders are affected, make sure both are examined.
- •Bring MRI reports or surgical records if you have copies.
Quick Facts
- Diagnostic Code
- DC 5201
- Category
- Musculoskeletal
- Subcategory
- Upper Extremity Joints
- Typical Claim Type
- direct
- Rating Range
- 0% – 40%
Also Known As
shoulder painrotator cuffshoulder injuryshoulder impingementshoulder bursitisAC jointacromioclavicularshoulder arthritisshoulder surgerylabral tearSLAP tearfrozen shoulderadhesive capsulitisshoulder tendinitisshoulder instability
Related Conditions
Secondary to
Commonly leads to
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