What rates 20% for Rotator Cuff Repair (Post-Surgical) under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5201?

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

What rates 30% for Rotator Cuff Repair (Post-Surgical) under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5201?

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

What rates 40% for Rotator Cuff Repair (Post-Surgical) under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5201?

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

What happens during a C&P exam for Rotator Cuff Repair (Post-Surgical)?

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.

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Rotator Cuff Repair (Post-Surgical)

Q: What are the VA rating percentages for Rotator Cuff Repair (Post-Surgical)?

Rotator Cuff Repair (Post-Surgical) (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 Repair (Post-Surgical) under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5201?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5201 (DC 5201), a 10% rating for Rotator Cuff Repair (Post-Surgical) 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 evidence do I need for a Rotator Cuff Repair (Post-Surgical) VA claim?

Key evidence for a Rotator Cuff Repair (Post-Surgical) 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 5201 | 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5201 | 

Rotator Cuff Repair (Post-Surgical) 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.

OVERVIEW

Residual pain and limited range of motion following surgical repair of rotator cuff tears, with potential for re-tear and chronic weakness

RATING CRITERIA (4 LEVELS)

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.

KEY EVIDENCE TO GATHER

-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

C&P EXAM TIPS (6)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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.
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