EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. Not legal or medical advice. Not affiliated with the VA.
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Shoulder Replacement (Arthroplasty)
DC 5051 | 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5051 |
Shoulder Replacement (Arthroplasty) is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 5051 of 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5051 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
Prosthetic replacement of the shoulder joint (total or reverse arthroplasty) with residual pain and limited function
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.
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.
EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. NOT LEGAL OR MEDICAL ADVICE.
NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
CLAIM RECON 2026