What rates 40% for Rotator Cuff Tear/Injury under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5201?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5201 (DC 5201), a 40% rating for Rotator Cuff Tear/Injury requires: Limitation of arm motion to 25 degrees from side for dominant extremity.

What secondary conditions are linked to Rotator Cuff Tear/Injury?

Common secondary conditions for Rotator Cuff Tear/Injury include Frozen Shoulder, Cervical Radiculopathy, Shoulder Arthritis. Secondary service connection is established under 38 C.F.R. 3.310 when a condition is caused or aggravated by an already service-connected disability.

What happens during a C&P exam for Rotator Cuff Tear/Injury?

Do NOT stretch, warm up, or take pain medication before your exam. The VA needs your baseline limitation. Report your WORST day. DeLuca v. Brown requires documentation of functional loss during flare-ups.

← All Condition Guides

CLAIM RECON INTEL

Rotator Cuff Tear/Injury

Q: What are the VA rating percentages for Rotator Cuff Tear/Injury?

Rotator Cuff Tear/Injury (DC 5201) is rated at 10%, 20%, 30%, 40% under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5201. Painful motion or limitation of arm motion at shoulder level (flexion or abduction limited to shoulder level/90 degrees) for minor extremity.

Q: What rates 10% for Rotator Cuff Tear/Injury under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5201?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5201 (DC 5201), a 10% rating for Rotator Cuff Tear/Injury requires: Painful motion or limitation of arm motion at shoulder level (flexion or abduction limited to shoulder level/90 degrees) for minor extremity.

Q: What rates 20% for Rotator Cuff Tear/Injury under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5201?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5201 (DC 5201), a 20% rating for Rotator Cuff Tear/Injury requires: Limitation of arm motion at shoulder level for dominant extremity, or midway between side and shoulder level for minor extremity.

Q: What rates 30% for Rotator Cuff Tear/Injury under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5201?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5201 (DC 5201), a 30% rating for Rotator Cuff Tear/Injury requires: Limitation of arm motion midway between side and shoulder level for dominant extremity, or to 25 degrees from side for minor extremity.

Q: What evidence do I need for a Rotator Cuff Tear/Injury VA claim?

Key evidence for a Rotator Cuff Tear/Injury claim includes: Service treatment records showing injury or complaints; Imaging (X-ray, MRI, CT); Range of motion measurements; Flare-up documentation per Sharp v. Shulkin; Buddy statements describing limitations. All evidence should document both the condition and its impact on daily functioning.

DC 520138 C.F.R. § 4.71a

Diagnostic Code

DC 5201

38 C.F.R. § 4.71a

Rating Range

10–40%

4 severity tiers

Source

Referenced

38 C.F.R. Part 4

Rotator Cuff Tear/Injury is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 5201 of 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5201 across 4 severity tiers (10% / 20% / 30% / 40%). Service connection requires (1) a current diagnosis, (2) an in-service event, injury, or exposure, and (3) a medical nexus opinion linking the two under 38 C.F.R. § 3.303. This condition is frequently rated as secondary to Frozen Shoulder or Cervical Radiculopathy under 38 C.F.R. § 3.310.

Educational tool only. Not legal or medical advice. Not affiliated with the VA.

Overview

Tear or injury to the rotator cuff tendons (supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, subscapularis) causing shoulder pain and weakness

Rating Criteria

10%

Painful motion or limitation of arm motion at shoulder level (flexion or abduction limited to shoulder level/90 degrees) for minor extremity.

20%

Limitation of arm motion at shoulder level for dominant extremity, or midway between side and shoulder level for minor extremity.

30%

Limitation of arm motion midway between side and shoulder level for dominant extremity, or to 25 degrees from side for minor extremity.

40%

Limitation of arm motion to 25 degrees from side for dominant extremity.

03Key Evidence

—Service treatment records showing injury or complaints

—Imaging (X-ray, MRI, CT)

—Range of motion measurements

—Flare-up documentation per Sharp v. Shulkin

—Buddy statements describing limitations

—Prescription history

—Physical therapy records

—Employment impact documentation

04C&P Exam Tips

1Do NOT stretch, warm up, or take pain medication before your exam. The VA needs your baseline limitation.

2Report your WORST day. DeLuca v. Brown requires documentation of functional loss during flare-ups.

3Tell the examiner about flare-ups: frequency, duration, estimated ROM loss. Sharp v. Shulkin (2017) requires estimates.

4Request active, passive, weight-bearing, and non-weight-bearing ROM testing per Correia v. McDonald (2016).

5If you use assistive devices (brace, cane), bring them.

6Describe daily activity impact: work, sleep, household tasks.

05Secondary Conditions

Frozen ShoulderMODERATE

Immobility after injury causes capsulitis

Cervical RadiculopathyMODERATE

Compensatory posture affects neck

Shoulder ArthritisMODERATE

Chronic dysfunction leads to degenerative changes

More in Musculoskeletal

Elbow Wrist Hand / Fingers Foot Conditions Coccydynia (Tailbone Pain)Osteoarthritis (DJD)Tennis Elbow (Epicondylitis)Trigger Finger All conditions →

Tools

Rating Calculator →Secondaries Explorer →C&P Exam Prep →PACT Act Scanner →2026 Rates →

Sources & Editorial

Rating criteria reference 38 C.F.R. Part 4 (Schedule for Rating Disabilities). This entry has not yet undergone editorial review against the live regulation text — consult the authoritative source directly before relying on the criteria shown.

View 38 C.F.R. Part 4 on eCFR →Editorial Standards →Suggest a correction →

EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. NOT LEGAL OR MEDICAL ADVICE.
NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
CLAIM RECON 2026

LOADING