Collarbone or shoulder blade impairment
The VA rates Collarbone or shoulder blade impairment under Diagnostic Code 5203, with separate ratings for the dominant and non-dominant arm: 10% to 20% for the dominant arm and 10% to 20% for the non-dominant arm. The applicable level depends on the full criteria below and the evidence for the condition.
Catalog name: Clavicle or scapula, impairment of.
Rating schedule · DC 5203 at a glance
- Dominant arm
- 10% to 20%
- Non-dominant arm
- 10% to 20%
- CFR section
- § 4.71a
- Body system
- Musculoskeletal System
- Secondary conditions
- 0
Major column of the published table
Minor column of the published table
Where this code is published
None mapped
What are the VA rating criteria for Collarbone or shoulder blade impairment?
DC 5203 is rated separately for your dominant arm and your non-dominant arm. 38 CFR § 4.69 decides which arm is dominant.
Source: 38 CFR § 4.71a, eCFR as of .
What other musculoskeletal conditions does the VA rate?
These diagnostic codes sit next to Collarbone or shoulder blade impairment in 38 CFR Part 4. The rating schedule is ordered anatomically, so neighbouring codes usually cover the same joint, organ, or system, and a claim often involves more than one of them.
- 5172Toes, other than great, amputation of, with removal of metatarsal head
- 5173Toes, three or four, amputation of, without metatarsal involvement
- 5200Scapulohumeral articulation, ankylosis of
- 5201Arm, limitation of motion of
- 5202Humerus, other impairment of
- 5205Elbow, ankylosis of
- 5206Forearm, limitation of flexion of
- 5207Forearm, limitation of extension of
- 5208Forearm, flexion limited to 100° and extension to 45°
- 5209Elbow, other impairment of Flail joint
What to do with a Collarbone or shoulder blade impairment rating
The tools, regulations and guides that pick up where the criteria above leave off.
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- The VA C&P Exam Explained: Before, During, and AfterA VA C&P exam helps VA decide service connection and your rating. Here is what happens before, during, and after, plus how to request your exam report.
- VA Service Connection Evidence 101: The Three-Legged StoolFor an original claim tied to active-duty service, VA needs a current disability, an in-service event, and a link between them. Here is what each part takes.
- VA Math Explained: How Combined Disability Ratings Really WorkVA ratings do not add. Learn how 38 CFR 4.25 combines disabilities using whole-person efficiency, why 50 and 30 round to 70, and how the bilateral factor works.
Common Questions About Collarbone or shoulder blade impairment VA Ratings
What is the VA rating range for Collarbone or shoulder blade impairment?
Dominant arm: 10% to 20%; non-dominant arm: 10% to 20%, under DC 5203, 38 CFR § 4.71a. The applicable column depends on which arm is dominant under 38 CFR § 4.69.
Which 38 CFR diagnostic code does the VA use for Collarbone or shoulder blade impairment?
The VA rates Collarbone or shoulder blade impairment under Diagnostic Code (DC) 5203, published in 38 CFR § 4.71a. The diagnostic code establishes the specific rating tiers and severity criteria the VA examiner applies.
What is the difference between a 10% and a 20% dominant-arm rating for Collarbone or shoulder blade impairment?
These figures are the dominant-arm column of DC 5203. A 10% dominant-arm rating is published for: Nonunion of: Without loose movement; or Malunion of. A 20% dominant-arm rating is published for: Dislocation of; or Nonunion of: With loose movement. The non-dominant arm is rated on its own column, 10% to 20%.
Can Collarbone or shoulder blade impairment qualify for TDIU?
Using the dominant-arm maximum: DC 5203 publishes up to 20% for the dominant arm and up to 20% for the non-dominant arm. That is below the single-disability TDIU threshold of 60%. Combined with other service-connected disabilities, TDIU may be achievable under 38 CFR § 4.16.
What evidence supports a higher rating for Collarbone or shoulder blade impairment?
The key evidence for Collarbone or shoulder blade impairment is documentation of how the condition affects daily functioning. For musculoskeletal conditions, range of motion measurements (active, passive, weight-bearing, and non-weight-bearing per Correia v. McDonald) and flare-up documentation are critical. A nexus letter from a qualified medical professional linking the current severity to service is essential for contested claims.
What happens at the C&P exam for Collarbone or shoulder blade impairment?
The C&P examiner uses a Musculoskeletal System DBQ and evaluates your condition against the DC 5203 rating criteria. Expect range of motion testing in multiple positions. Under Correia v. McDonald, the examiner must test active, passive, weight-bearing, and non-weight-bearing range of motion. Report your worst flare-up symptoms. If you cannot attend during a flare, request the exam be rescheduled.
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