Shoulder Dislocation
Shoulder dislocations involve the upper arm bone (humerus, DC 5202) or collar bone (clavicle, DC 5203) popping out of place. The VA rates these based on frequency and how they impact movement. If dislocation impacts range of motion, separate ratings for ROM and dislocation are NOT allowed - the veteran receives whichever is higher. If dislocation does NOT impact ROM, the veteran CAN have separate ratings for both. If BOTH bones dislocate and NEITHER impacts ROM, separate evaluations for both dislocations AND ROM may be possible. Separate grants for dislocation and bone healing issues of the same bone are NOT allowed.
VA Rating Levels
Humerus (DC 5202a): Infrequent dislocation episodes with guarding of movement only at shoulder level. Also clavicle (DC 5203a): collar bone dislocated from the shoulder bone. Both dominant and non-dominant receive 20%.
Humerus: Frequent dislocation episodes with guarding of all arm movements. Dominant receives 30%, non-dominant receives 20%.
Exam Tips & Key Evidence
- →Key pyramiding distinction: if the dislocation impacts your ROM, you get ONE rating (dislocation OR ROM, whichever is higher). If the dislocation does NOT impact ROM, you can potentially get BOTH ratings.
- →If BOTH the humerus and clavicle dislocate and NEITHER impacts ROM, separate evaluations for both dislocations AND ROM may be possible.
- →You cannot receive both a dislocation rating and a bone healing issue rating for the same bone.
- →If your shoulder condition progresses to requiring a total shoulder replacement, all existing shoulder ratings will be discontinued and re-rated under DC 5051.
- →Consider whether a ROM limitation rating (DC 5201) or the dislocation rating would be higher for your situation.
Commonly Related Conditions
38 CFR Reference
38 CFR 4.71a, DC 5202/5203