---
title: "DC 5201 - Arm, limitation of motion of:"
diagnostic_code: "5201"
body_system: "Musculoskeletal System"
cfr_section: "§ 4.71a"
canonical: "https://veteranai.co/va-rating-schedule/musculoskeletal/5201-limited-shoulder-motion"
source: "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.71a"
updated: "2026-07-21T19:43:04.164041Z"
---

# DC 5201 - Arm, limitation of motion of:

Rated under § 4.71a. Body system: Musculoskeletal System.

## Rating criteria

| Rating | Rating (non-dominant) | Criteria |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 40% | 30% | Flexion and/or abduction limited to 25° from side |
| 30% | 20% | Midway between side and shoulder level (flexion and/or abduction limited to 45°) |
| 20% | 20% | 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.

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*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.*

Source: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.71a