38 CFR 4.71a Diagnostic Code 5201 arm motion rating limits
Question asked:
“Under 38 C.F.R. § 4.71a, Diagnostic Code 5201, limitation of motion of the arm midway between side and shoulder level, corresponding to flexion or abduction limited to 45 degrees, warrants a 30 percent rating, and limitation of motion at 25 degrees warrants a 40 percent rating.”
Summary
Under 38 C.F.R. § 4.71a, Diagnostic Code 5201 assigns a 30 percent disability rating when arm motion is limited to midway between the side and shoulder (approximately 45 degrees), and a 40 percent rating when motion is limited to 25 degrees from the side. This rating structure is confirmed by several VA rating decisions.
Sources 60 searched
- 387 Department of Veterans Affairs § 4.71a
... Malunion of, with bad alignment ..... ... Nonunion in upper half ................... ... Malunion of, with bad alignment ..... ... The hand fixed in full pronation ...... ... Motion lost beyond middle of arc ... ... To 30° or less .................................
- 38 CFR 4.71a - Schedule of ratings-musculoskeletal system.
Official Publications from the U.S. Government Publishing Office.
- 367 Department of Veterans Affairs § 4.71a
To 25° from side ....................................
- eCFR :: 38 CFR 4.71a -- Schedule of ratings—musculoskeletal system.
18, 1976; 43 FR 45350, Oct. 2, 1978; 51 FR 6411, Feb. 24, 1986; 61 FR 20439, May 7, 1996; 67 FR 48785, July 26, 2002; 67 FR 54349, Aug. 22, 2002; 68 FR 51456, Aug. 27, 2003; 69 FR 32450, June 10, 2004; 80 FR 42041, July 16, 2015; 85 FR 76460, Nov. 30, 2020, 85 FR 85523, Dec.
- Citation Nr: 21066854 Decision Date: 11/02/21 Archive Date: 11/02/21
As of February 7, 2021, under the amended diagnostic code 5201, limitation of motion of the arm at shoulder level (flexion and/or abduction limited to 90 degrees) warrants a 20 percent rating for both the major and minor extremity. 38 C.F.R. 4.71a, Diagnostic Code 5201 (2021).
- Citation Nr: 22020530 Decision Date: 04/06/22 Archive Date: 04/06/22
Limitation of motion of the arm to 25 degrees from side warrants a maximum 30 percent rating for the minor joint and a maximum 40 percent rating for the major joint. 38 C.F.R. 4.71a, Diagnostic Code 5201. Diagnostic Code 5201 "does not provide separate ratings for limitation of motion in the ...
- 0734820.txt
A 30 percent rating is warranted for limitation of arm motion to midway between the side and shoulder level, and a 40 percent rating is warranted for limitation of arm motion to 25 degrees from the side. 38 C.F.R. 4.71a, DC 5201. Normal forward flexion of the shoulder is zero to 180 degrees; ...
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