VA Diagnostic Code 5203Clavicle or scapula, impairment of:
Rated from 10% to 20% under § 4.71a. Here is what the VA requires at each level.
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What each rating requires
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- 20%20% non-dominant
Dislocation of
- 20%20% non-dominant
Nonunion of: With loose movement
- 10%10% non-dominant
Nonunion of: Without loose movement
- 10%10% non-dominant
Malunion of
Notes on this code
These notes are part of the regulation. They change how the levels above are applied.
- Or rate on impairment of function of contiguous joint.
Impairment of the Clavicle or Scapula (Diagnostic Code 5203)
Musculoskeletal System · 38 CFR § 4.71a
Understanding This Condition
The clavicle (collarbone) and scapula (shoulder blade) are part of the shoulder structure. Under VA Diagnostic Code 5203, impairment of these bones is evaluated based on how the bones have healed and how they affect movement.
This diagnostic code covers three main types of bone impairment:
- Dislocation — the bone is displaced from its normal position.
- Nonunion — a break that has not healed back together, which may or may not include loose movement at the site.
- Malunion — a break that has healed, but in an improper position.
Available Rating Levels
The VA assigns the following disability ratings under this code. Ratings are the same whether the affected arm is the dominant (major) or non-dominant (minor) extremity.
| Rating | Impairment |
|---|---|
| 20% | Dislocation of the clavicle or scapula |
| 20% | Nonunion with loose movement |
| 10% | Nonunion without loose movement |
| 10% | Malunion of the clavicle or scapula |
What the VA Looks For
When evaluating impairment of the clavicle or scapula, the VA considers:
- Whether the bone is dislocated.
- Whether there is a nonunion, and if so, whether there is loose movement at the site of the nonunion.
- Whether there is a malunion (a break that healed in an improper position).
Alternative rating method: The VA may also choose to rate this condition based on the impairment of function of the contiguous joint (the neighboring joint), depending on how the impairment affects that joint.
These criteria are a rendering of § 4.71a, diagnostic code 5203. The official version is the one that governs your rating.
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