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Are you owed a rotator cuff VA rating?
Rotator cuff injuries are one of the most common shoulder conditions that veterans face after military service.
The physical demands of training, combat, and repetitive heavy lifting often lead to long-term shoulder damage.
In this blog, we’ll explain how the VA rates rotator cuff injuries, how to file a claim, and what it takes to prove service connection.Â
Let’s break it down.
Table of Contents
Summary of Key Points
- Rotator cuff injuries in veterans often result from repetitive motion, heavy lifting, or traumatic injury.Â
- The VA rates rotator cuff tears under diagnostic codes 5200, 5201, or 5304 based on loss of motion, weakness, and functional limits, with ratings ranging from 10% for mild cases to 50% or more for severe injuries.Â
- To qualify for a rotator cuff VA rating, you need a current diagnosis, proof of an in-service event or injury, and a medical nexus linking the two.Â
Causes of Rotator Cuff Injuries in Veterans
Rotator cuff injuries are common among veterans because of the physical demands of military service.
Some of the most common causes include:
- Repetitive overhead movementsÂ
- Heavy lifting and carryingÂ
- Traumatic injuriesÂ
- Wear and tear over timeÂ
- Secondary injuriesÂ
Rotator Cuff Tear VA Disability Ratings
The VA rates rotator cuff tears using diagnostic codes (DC) 5200, 5201, or 5304. These codes focus on factors like loss of motion, weakness, and functional limitations in your shoulder.
Ratings generally range from 10% for mild cases to 50% or higher for severe loss of motion or strength.Â
Your rotator cuff tear VA rating will depend on how severe your symptoms are, how much it limits motion, whether it’s your dominant or non-dominant arm, and how much your injury affects your ability to work and perform daily activities.
See More: VA Disability Rating for Shoulder and Arm Conditions
Rotator Cuff Tear VA Rating Charts
Ankylosis of the Scapulohumeral Articulation
Sometimes a severe rotator cuff injury can make your shoulder so stiff that your scapulohumeral joint (where your upper arm meets your shoulder blade) moves as one piece.
When this happens, the VA rates it under DC 5200 for ankylosis because your shoulder has lost significant motion.
| DC 5200 VA Rating Criteria | VA Rating | |
| Major | Minor | |
| Note: The scapula and humerus move as one piece. | ||
| Unfavorable, abduction limited to 25° from side | 50% | 40% |
| Intermediate between favorable and unfavorable | 40% | 30% |
| Favorable, abduction to 60°, can reach mouth and head | 30% | 20% |
Limitation of Motion of Arm
When a rotator cuff injury doesn’t completely freeze the shoulder but still limits motion, the VA may rate it under DC 5201 for limitation of motion. This rating is based on how far you can lift your arm (flexion or abduction).
| DC 5201 VA Rating Criteria | VA Rating | |
| Major | Minor | |
| Flexion and/or abduction limited to 25° from side | 40% | 30% |
| Midway between side and shoulder level (flexion and/or abduction limited to 45°) | 30% | 20% |
| At shoulder level (flexion and/or abduction limited to 90°) | 20% | 20% |
Damage to Shoulder Muscles
DC 5304 is used when a rotator cuff tear damages the muscles that keep your shoulder stable and allow you to lift and rotate your arm.
These intrinsic shoulder girdle muscles (supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, subscapularis, and coracobrachialis) might sound complicated, but they’re all key parts of your rotator cuff.
| DC 5304 VA Rating Criteria | VA Rating | |
| Dominant | Nondominant | |
| Severe | 30% | 20% |
| Moderately Severe | 20% | 20% |
| Moderate | 10% | 10% |
| Slight | 0% | 0% |
Proving Service Connection for Rotator Cuff Injury
To qualify for a rotator cuff VA rating, you’ll need:
- A current diagnosisÂ
- An in-service event, injury, aggravation, or illnessÂ
- A medical nexus (link) between your current diagnosis and the in-service event, injury, aggravation, or illnessÂ
See More: 5 Types of Service Connection
Filing a VA Claim for Rotator Cuff Injuries
You can file for VA disability:
- Online Â
- By mail Â
- Via fax Â
- In-person at a VA regional office near youÂ
See More: VA Disability Terms to Know Before You File a VA Claim
Can You Get TDIU for Rotator Cuff Injuries?
Yes, you may qualify for Total Disability Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) if your service-connected rotator cuff injury prevents you from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.
In addition, one of the following must be true:
- You have at least 1 service-connected disability rated at 60% or more disabling, or  Â
- You have 2 or more service-connected disabilities, with at least 1 rated at 40% or more disabling and a combined rating of 70% or moreÂ
If eligible, TDIU pays at the 100% rate, even if your combined rating isn’t 100%.
See More: VA TDIU Approval Rate
Conclusion
Rotator cuff injuries can make everyday tasks, like lifting your arm, painful or impossible. The VA recognizes this, awarding ratings to eligible veterans who have a current diagnosis, evidence of an in-service injury or event, and a medical link connecting the two.
It’s time to get the compensation and benefits you rightfully deserve.
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(FAQs) Frequently Asked Questions
Can you get VA disability for a rotator cuff?
Yes. If your rotator cuff injury was caused or aggravated by your military service, you may qualify for a VA disability rating. You also need a current diagnosis and nexus linking your injury to your military service.
What is the VA disability rating for shoulder rotator cuff tear?
The VA disability rating for shoulder rotator cuff tear is usually assigned under DC 5200, 5201, or 5304. Ratings typically range from 10% to 50% or higher, depending on whether the injury affects your dominant or non-dominant arm and how severely it limits movement or causes pain and weakness.
What is the rotator cuff tendonitis VA rating?
The VA disability rating for rotator cuff tendonitis is generally 10% to 20% for mild to moderate cases but may be rated higher if it causes significant motion loss, weakness, or long-term shoulder problems. See More: Qualifying for Tendonitis VA Rating
What is the VA rating for rotator cuff surgery?
If you have rotator cuff surgery, the VA may grant a temporary 100% rating during your recovery (often up to 3–6 months). After recovery, the VA will re-evaluate your shoulder and assign a long-term rating (usually 10%–50% or higher) based on any lasting pain, weakness, scarring, or reduced motion.
How do I strengthen my VA claim for a rotator cuff injury?
Strong medical evidence is key. This includes service treatment records, a current medical diagnosis, a doctor’s nexus opinion, and evidence showing how your condition affects daily life and work.
Author
Kelly Olone
Kelly Olone is a military spouse who earned her degree in Psychology from Florida International University. After working in the non-profit sector for several years, she turned to her passion for writing. She aims to contribute to a better understanding of the valuable benefits that veterans deserve. As a mom, Kelly navigates the delicate balance between deadlines and bedtime stories with finesse.
