VASRD 5201 · Musculoskeletal System
Arm, Limitation of Motion VA Disability Rating
Difficulty or inability to raise the arm due to injury or joint damage.
VA Rating Tiers
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 40% | You can move your dominant arm only about 25 degrees away from your side, forward or out. |
| 30% | Either that same 25-degree limit on your non-dominant side, or a 45-degree limit on your dominant side. |
| 20% | Either a 45-degree limit on your non-dominant side, or an arm on either side that comes up only to shoulder level. |
How the VA Evaluates Arm, Limitation of Motion
Diagnostic code 5201 rates limitation of motion of the arm at the shoulder, measured as flexion and/or abduction, and prints two columns so the same measurement pays differently on the dominant and the non-dominant side. Flexion and/or abduction limited to 25 degrees from the side is 40 percent in the major (dominant) extremity and 30 percent in the minor (non-dominant) one. Motion midway between the side and shoulder level - flexion and/or abduction limited to 45 degrees - is 30 percent major and 20 percent minor. Motion at shoulder level - flexion and/or abduction limited to 90 degrees - is 20 percent in both columns. The schedule provides no evaluation under this code for motion better than shoulder level.
Approval outlook
High (~65%) with consistent ROM documentation.
Veterans service-connected
1,385,549 veterans
Typical rating awarded
~20%
Veterans service-connected count from the VBA Annual Benefits Report (FY2025), as of September 30, 2025. Approval outlook and typical rating are Vetrify editorial estimates — not official VA statistics.
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Best Evidence to Gather
- •Range-of-motion test results specifically measuring how high the arm can be raised.
- •Orthopedic evaluations documenting the underlying cause of the limitation.
Strategy Tips
- •Submit goniometer measurements specifically documenting how high you can raise your arm, since this precise measurement is what determines the rating tier.
- •Include pain and flare-up documentation, since shoulder range of motion often varies with pain and activity level, and a documented pattern is more persuasive than one measurement.
C&P Exam Pitfalls
- •Claiming limited motion without objective range-of-motion measurements to support it.
- •Lack of pain description, which can be relevant context even when the maximum angle reached looks moderate.
Common Filing Mistakes
- •Failing to document the exact angle limitations, since the rating schedule for this code is specifically angle-based.
- •Missing imaging results that would help explain why the motion is limited.
Onset Patterns
- •Limited arm motion often results from a shoulder injury, surgery, or overuse during service that gradually restricted the joint's range.
Secondary Conditions
Conditions commonly linked to Arm, Limitation of Motion. Service-connecting a secondary condition can increase your combined rating.
Common Among These Military Jobs
Military occupational specialties (MOS) where Arm, Limitation of Motion is frequently claimed.
Common questions about Arm, Limitation of Motion
- Is Arm, Limitation of Motion a VA-rated disability?
- Yes. The VA rates Arm, Limitation of Motion under VASRD diagnostic code 5201 (Musculoskeletal System). Difficulty or inability to raise the arm due to injury or joint damage.
- What VA disability rating can I get for Arm, Limitation of Motion?
- Possible VA ratings for Arm, Limitation of Motion are 40%, 30%, 20%. Examples: 40%: You can move your dominant arm only about 25 degrees away from your side, forward or out.; 30%: Either that same 25-degree limit on your non-dominant side, or a 45-degree limit on your dominant side.; 20%: Either a 45-degree limit on y…
- What's the typical VA rating awarded for Arm, Limitation of Motion?
- Vetrify estimates the typical rating awarded for Arm, Limitation of Motion at around 20%, based on VA claims data and the rating schedule. Per the VBA Annual Benefits Report (FY2025), 1,385,549 veterans were receiving VA compensation for Arm, Limitation of Motion as of September 30, 2025. Estimated approval outlook: H…
- What evidence helps prove Arm, Limitation of Motion for VA disability?
- Strong evidence for a Arm, Limitation of Motion claim includes: Range-of-motion test results specifically measuring how high the arm can be raised.; Orthopedic evaluations documenting the underlying cause of the limitation..
- What mistakes should veterans avoid when claiming Arm, Limitation of Motion?
- Common pitfalls when filing for Arm, Limitation of Motion: Failing to document the exact angle limitations, since the rating schedule for this code is specifically angle-based.; Missing imaging results that would help explain why the motion is limited..
- What conditions are commonly secondary to Arm, Limitation of Motion?
- Conditions often service-connected as secondary to Arm, Limitation of Motion include: Frozen Shoulder, Neck Strain. 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 5201)
- VBA Annual Benefits Report (FY2025) — veterans service-connected count, as of September 30, 2025
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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