VA Diagnostic Code 5201Arm, limitation of motion of:
Rated from 20% to 40% under § 4.71a. Here is what the VA requires at each level.
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What each rating requires
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- 40%30% non-dominant
Flexion and/or abduction limited to 25° from side
- 30%20% non-dominant
Midway between side and shoulder level (flexion and/or abduction limited to 45°)
- 20%20% non-dominant
At shoulder level (flexion and/or abduction limited to 90°)
Limitation of Motion of the Arm (Diagnostic Code 5201)
Understanding This Rating
Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, Diagnostic Code 5201 addresses limitation of motion of the arm within the Musculoskeletal System. This rating applies when injury or a related condition restricts how far you can raise your arm — specifically your ability to move it forward (flexion) or out to the side (abduction).
Because most people rely more heavily on one arm than the other, this rating distinguishes between the dominant (major) extremity and the non-dominant (minor) extremity. In many cases, the same degree of restriction is rated slightly higher for the dominant arm.
Available Rating Levels
The VA measures how far your arm can move away from your side, expressed in degrees. The more limited the motion, the higher the rating.
| Rating (Dominant Arm) | Rating (Non-Dominant Arm) | Criteria |
|---|---|---|
| 40% | 30% | Flexion and/or abduction limited to 25° from side |
| 30% | 20% | Motion limited to midway between side and shoulder level (flexion and/or abduction limited to 45°) |
| 20% | 20% | Motion limited to shoulder level (flexion and/or abduction limited to 90°) |
What the VA Looks For
When rating limitation of motion of the arm, the VA evaluates:
- Range of motion measurements — how many degrees you can raise your arm through flexion (forward) and/or abduction (outward to the side).
- Which arm is affected — whether the limitation is in your dominant or non-dominant arm, since this can affect the assigned percentage.
- The threshold your motion reaches — the rating level corresponds to whether your arm motion is limited to shoulder level (90°), midway between side and shoulder (45°), or close to your side (25°).
The greater the loss of arm motion, the higher the potential rating under this code.
This information is drawn from the VA rating schedule under 38 CFR § 4.71a and is provided for general educational purposes only. Individual ratings depend on your specific medical evidence and examination findings.
These criteria are a rendering of § 4.71a, diagnostic code 5201. The official version is the one that governs your rating.
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