40%
Official criteria
Major arm: flexion and/or abduction limited to 25° from sidePlain-language summary
The dominant arm is limited to 25 degrees from the side.
Arm limitation of motion — DC 5201
VA evaluates flexion and/or abduction limits at 25, 45, and 90 degrees, with different major- and minor-arm percentages at the more severe levels.
Musculoskeletalshoulder limitationlimited arm motion
How to read this record
DC 5201 distinguishes the major (dominant) arm from the minor arm. Under section 4.69, evidence or a VA examination determines dominance, and only one hand is considered dominant. Read the motion threshold and the arm designation together; a self-measured angle is not a VA rating decision.
Selected source check: . This checks the explanation above against the linked sources; original record and effective dates below retain their separate meaning.
Official schedule
Percentage levels and criteria
Plain-language summaries explain the text; they do not decide whether any level applies.
30%
Official criteria
Minor arm: flexion and/or abduction limited to 25° from side; or major arm: flexion and/or abduction limited to 45°Plain-language summary
This result depends on both the measured limit and whether the affected arm is dominant.
20%
Official criteria
Minor arm: flexion and/or abduction limited to 45°; or major or minor arm: flexion and/or abduction limited to 90°Plain-language summary
This result applies to the listed minor-arm 45-degree path or either arm at shoulder level.
Source record
Open official eCFR source38 CFR § 4.71a—Schedule of ratings, musculoskeletal system
38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5201 · Effective Feb 7, 2021 · Reviewed Sep 11, 2026
Reviewed form connection
Related Disability Benefits Questionnaires
These are explicit reviewed mappings, not automatic keyword matches.
Shoulder and/or Arm Conditions
The public Shoulder and/or Arm DBQ covers this anatomic region.