VA Disability Ratings: Shoulder and Arm Conditions

The VA disability ratings schedules break out musculoskeletal conditions into different body parts. Depending on the nature of the injury or condition, more than one body part may be affected. Here’s how the VA rates disabilities strictly affecting the shoulder and arm area.

Shoulder and Arm Injuries and Conditions

A wide range of conditions may impact the shoulder and arm. Some conditions are temporary, and some are permanent. Some create relatively minor limitations, such as pain or slightly limited range of motion, while others are extreme–up to and including amputation. How the VA rates the disability depends both on the portion of the shoulder and/or arm affected and the nature and extent of the disability. For example: 

• Prosthetic replacement of the shoulder joint results in a 100% VA disability rating for one year. The rating after one year will depend on residual limitations and whether the affected shoulder was on the dominant side, and may be 20%, 30%, 50% or 60%.
• Elbow replacement results in a 100% disability rating for one year. After one year, the rating depends on the same factors as listed above. However, the possible ratings are 20%, 30%, 40% or 50%. 
• Wrist replacement also results in a 100% VA disability rating for one year, and the subsequent rating is determined by the same factors listed above. The possible ratings thereafter are 20%, 30%, or 40%. 

Some other conditions are rated based on the limitation of motion of the shoulder and/or arm. For instance: 

• Scapulohumeral ankylosis may be rated at 20%, 30%, 40% or 50%, depending on which side is affected and the remaining range of motion. 
• Limitation of motion of the arm may be rated at 20%, 30% or 40%, depending on the affected side and the remaining range of motion.
• Other impairment of the humerus may be rated at any level between 20% and 80%, depending on the nature and severity of the condition and which side is affected.
• Impairments of the clavicle or scapula may be rated at 10% or 20%, depending on the same type of factors. 

Of course, this list isn’t comprehensive, many other conditions may impact the shoulder and arm, and may be rated under other schedules. As you can see from this sampling, the possible VA disability ratings for shoulder and arm conditions vary significantly, and will depend in large part on the medical evidence submitted. 

Get Help With Your VA Disability Claim

Working with an experienced VA disability benefits advocate from the beginning can help ensure that you are providing the documentation the VA needs to assign the right disability rating–and that rating will impact the amount of benefits you receive. If you’ve already been assigned a disability rating and you think it’s too low, we may be able to help with that, too. To learn more, call us at 855-855-8992 or fill out our contact form. 

LEARN MORE ABOUT VA DISABILITY:

• VA Ratings Explained
• Proving Your PTSD VA Claim
• What Does A 100% VA Disability Rating Mean?
• TOP 5 REASONS TO WORK WITH A VA-ACCREDITED ADVOCATE
• How Much VA Disability Will I Receive?