VASRD 5200 · Musculoskeletal System
Ankylosis of the Scapulohumeral Articulation (Shoulder Joint) VA Disability Rating
Shoulder ankylosis means your joint is stiff or frozen, severely limiting arm motion.
VA Rating Tiers
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 50% | Your dominant shoulder is fused and the arm cannot be moved out more than 25 degrees from your side. |
| 40% | Either that same 25-degree fusion in your non-dominant shoulder, or an in-between fusion in your dominant shoulder. |
| 30% | Either an in-between fusion in your non-dominant shoulder, or a favorable fusion in your dominant shoulder that still lets you reach your mouth and head. |
| 20% | Your non-dominant shoulder is fused, but the arm still comes out to 60 degrees and you can reach your mouth and head. |
How the VA Evaluates Ankylosis of the Scapulohumeral Articulation (Shoulder Joint)
Diagnostic code 5200 rates ankylosis - true fusion - of the scapulohumeral articulation, and 38 CFR 4.71a adds a note that in this condition the scapula and humerus move as one piece. The code prints three criterion rows and two columns, so the same finding pays differently depending on which arm is dominant. Unfavorable ankylosis, with abduction limited to 25 degrees from the side, is 50 percent in the major (dominant) extremity and 40 percent in the minor (non-dominant) one. Ankylosis intermediate between favorable and unfavorable is 40 percent major and 30 percent minor. Favorable ankylosis - abduction to 60 degrees, able to reach the mouth and head - is 30 percent major and 20 percent minor. The schedule sets no separate criterion for external rotation and states no angle range for the intermediate row; that row is defined only as lying between the favorable and unfavorable descriptions.
Approval outlook
Moderate – must clearly document abduction and rotation limits.
Veterans service-connected
~3,700 veterans
Typical rating awarded
~30%
Vetrify editorial estimates informed by VA published claims data (VBA Annual Benefits Report) and the VA rating schedule — not official VA statistics.
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Best Evidence to Gather
- •X-rays or MRI confirming true joint fusion.
- •Range-of-motion tests from a VA C&P exam.
- •An orthopedic surgeon's report documenting the fusion's severity and angle.
Strategy Tips
- •Clarify which arm is dominant in your medical records, since the same degree of ankylosis rates differently depending on whether it's your dominant or non-dominant shoulder.
- •Submit an orthopedic evaluation and imaging together, since both the fusion itself and its precise angle need to be documented.
C&P Exam Pitfalls
- •Failing to distinguish dominant from non-dominant arm in the exam findings.
- •Incomplete range-of-motion documentation, which is central to determining the specific tier.
Common Filing Mistakes
- •Claiming this rating without actual range-of-motion testing to confirm the degree of fixation.
- •Confusing ordinary shoulder pain or stiffness with true ankylosis (complete fusion), which this code specifically requires.
Onset Patterns
- •Shoulder ankylosis usually follows a chronic shoulder injury, surgery, or advanced arthritis that caused the joint to fuse rather than simply stiffen.
Secondary Conditions
Conditions commonly linked to Ankylosis of the Scapulohumeral Articulation (Shoulder Joint). Service-connecting a secondary condition can increase your combined rating.
Common Among These Military Jobs
Military occupational specialties (MOS) where Ankylosis of the Scapulohumeral Articulation (Shoulder Joint) is frequently claimed.
Common questions about Ankylosis of the Scapulohumeral Articulation (Shoulder Joint)
- Is Ankylosis of the Scapulohumeral Articulation (Shoulder Joint) a VA-rated disability?
- Yes. The VA rates Ankylosis of the Scapulohumeral Articulation (Shoulder Joint) under VASRD diagnostic code 5200 (Musculoskeletal System). Shoulder ankylosis means your joint is stiff or frozen, severely limiting arm motion.
- What VA disability rating can I get for Ankylosis of the Scapulohumeral Articulation (Shoulder Joint)?
- Possible VA ratings for Ankylosis of the Scapulohumeral Articulation (Shoulder Joint) are 50%, 40%, 30%, 20%. Examples: 50%: Your dominant shoulder is fused and the arm cannot be moved out more than 25 degrees from your side.; 40%: Either that same 25-degree fusion in your non-dominant shoulder, or an in-between fusio…
- What's the typical VA rating awarded for Ankylosis of the Scapulohumeral Articulation (Shoulder Joint)?
- Vetrify estimates the typical rating awarded for Ankylosis of the Scapulohumeral Articulation (Shoulder Joint) at around 30%, based on VA claims data and the rating schedule. An estimated 3,700 veterans are service-connected for Ankylosis of the Scapulohumeral Articulation (Shoulder Joint). Estimated approval outlook:…
- What evidence helps prove Ankylosis of the Scapulohumeral Articulation (Shoulder Joint) for VA disability?
- Strong evidence for a Ankylosis of the Scapulohumeral Articulation (Shoulder Joint) claim includes: X-rays or MRI confirming true joint fusion.; Range-of-motion tests from a VA C&P exam.; An orthopedic surgeon's report documenting the fusion's severity and angle..
- What mistakes should veterans avoid when claiming Ankylosis of the Scapulohumeral Articulation (Shoulder Joint)?
- Common pitfalls when filing for Ankylosis of the Scapulohumeral Articulation (Shoulder Joint): Claiming this rating without actual range-of-motion testing to confirm the degree of fixation.; Confusing ordinary shoulder pain or stiffness with true ankylosis (complete fusion), which this code specifically requires..
- What conditions are commonly secondary to Ankylosis of the Scapulohumeral Articulation (Shoulder Joint)?
- Conditions often service-connected as secondary to Ankylosis of the Scapulohumeral Articulation (Shoulder Joint) include: Neck Strain, Tendonitis. Filing for secondary conditions can increase a veteran's combined VA rating.
Official sources
- 38 CFR § 4.71a — Schedule of ratings — musculoskeletal system (Diagnostic Code 5200)
Rating criteria on this page are an educational summary of the cited regulation — the eCFR text is authoritative. See how Vetrify derives its numbers.
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