The exam form
The examiner fills out VA's "Shoulder and Arm Conditions" form (a Disability Benefits Questionnaire, or DBQ). See the form on VA.gov
Form version checked: Updated on 2025-04-15 (v25_3).
What the exam is for
The exam records your shoulder diagnosis and how much it limits you: how far you can raise and rotate your arm, where pain starts, flare-ups, and problems like dislocations.
What the examiner will ask and measure
- Your diagnosis for each shoulder, and which hand you use most.
- How the problem started and changed. Flare-ups: how often, how long, and what you can't do.
- Functional loss in your own words.
- Range of motion with a measuring tool: raising your arm in front, raising it out to the side, and turning it in and out. The examiner notes where pain starts, and tests your other shoulder too.
- Repeated motion (at least three times), and estimates of your motion during a flare-up or after repeated use over time.
- Muscle loss, measured with a tape.
- Named tests for the rotator cuff, instability, and the joint at the top of the shoulder.
- Dislocations or partial dislocations: how often they happen and how you guard your arm.
- Problems with the collarbone, shoulder blade or upper arm bone.
- Surgeries, such as a shoulder replacement, and what's left afterward.
- Imaging, and how your shoulder affects work tasks.
Be ready to describe
- When and how the shoulder problem started in service.
- Whether you can reach overhead, behind your back or across your body, and lift or carry.
- Flare-ups and your worst days.
- Clicking, catching, slipping or dislocating, and how often.
- Medicines and side effects, therapy, injections, surgeries.
- How your shoulder affects work, dressing, driving, sleep and chores.
Common mistakes
- Pushing past pain during the motion test, or stopping short of what you can do. Raise your arm as far as you normally can, and say when pain starts.
- Not saying which arm you use most. It matters for the rating.
- Leaving out flare-ups because today is a good day.
How VA rates it
VA rates a shoulder mostly on how far you can raise your arm, measured in degrees, counting where pain limits you. Your dominant arm (the one you use most, called "major" in the rules) is rated higher than your other arm ("minor") at some levels. Dislocations, a fixed joint, collarbone and upper arm bone problems, and a shoulder replacement have their own criteria.
In plain English
- Raising your arm, 20% (either arm): you can raise it forward or out to the side only to shoulder level (90 degrees).
- Raising your arm, 30% dominant arm or 20% other arm: only halfway between your side and shoulder level (45 degrees).
- Raising your arm, 40% dominant arm or 30% other arm: only 25 degrees from your side.
- Shoulder that keeps dislocating: 20% (either arm) with occasional episodes and guarding only at shoulder level; 30% dominant arm or 20% other arm with frequent episodes and guarding of all arm movements.
- Upper arm bone (humerus): a bone that healed badly is 20% (moderate deformity, either arm) or 30% dominant and 20% other (marked deformity). Bone ends joined only by scar tissue (fibrous union) are 50% dominant, 40% other. A bone that didn't heal (nonunion) is 60% dominant, 50% other. Loss of the top of the bone (flail shoulder) is 80% dominant, 70% other.
- Collarbone or shoulder blade: 10% for a bone that healed badly, or didn't heal but doesn't move loosely; 20% for a bone that didn't heal and moves loosely, or a dislocation. VA can instead rate it on how it limits the nearby joint.
The regulation, word for word
Quoted from 38 CFR Part 4 (current as of October 16, 2026). This is what VA applies. The plain-English version above is our summary of it.
| Criteria | Major | Minor |
|---|
| 5201 Arm, limitation of motion of: | | |
| 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 |
| Criteria | Major | Minor |
|---|
| 5202 Humerus, other impairment of: | | |
| Loss of head of (flail shoulder) | 80 | 70 |
| Nonunion of (false flail joint) | 60 | 50 |
| Fibrous union of | 50 | 40 |
| Recurrent dislocation of at scapulohumeral joint: | | |
| With frequent episodes and guarding of all arm movements | 30 | 20 |
| With infrequent episodes and guarding of movement only at shoulder level (flexion and/or abduction at 90 °) | 20 | 20 |
| Malunion of: | | |
| Marked deformity | 30 | 20 |
| Moderate deformity | 20 | 20 |
38 CFR 4.71a, diagnostic code 5203: Clavicle or scapula, impairment of Open in the Rating Criteria Lookup
| Criteria | Major | Minor |
|---|
| 5203 Clavicle or scapula, impairment of: | | |
| Dislocation of | 20 | 20 |
| Nonunion of: | | |
| With loose movement | 20 | 20 |
| Without loose movement | 10 | 10 |
| Malunion of | 10 | 10 |
| Or rate on impairment of function of contiguous joint. | | |
Related
About every C&P exam
What is it?
After you file a claim, VA may ask you to have a claim exam, also called a compensation and pension (C&P) exam. It helps VA decide whether your condition is connected to your service, and how severe it is. It isn't treatment: the examiner won't treat you, prescribe medicine or refer you to anyone.
Who does it?
A VA provider or a provider from one of VA's exam contractors (Loyal Source, OptumServe, QTC or VES). VA picks; you can't choose. Hearing, mental health, eye and dental exams are done by specialists. For a reproductive, breast, rectal or mental health exam, or a claim related to military sexual trauma, you can ask for a male or female examiner.
How long does it take?
VA says anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour or more, depending on what you claimed. Some exams are by phone or video. If you claimed more than one condition, VA tries to schedule them on the same day.
Does the examiner decide my claim?
No. The examiner writes a report on a standard form (a Disability Benefits Questionnaire, or DBQ) and sends it to VA. VA decides your claim using all the evidence: the report, your medical and service records, and statements from you and others. The examiner can't tell you the results or answer questions about your claim.
Does everyone get one?
No. If your records already have what VA needs, VA can decide from the records alone (VA calls this Acceptable Clinical Evidence, or ACE).
What if I can't make it?
Call the number on your appointment letter at least 48 hours ahead to reschedule. Missing an exam delays your claim. VA may decide your claim on the evidence it already has, and some claims, such as a claim for an increase, are denied (38 CFR 3.655). If you had a good reason, such as being in the hospital or a death in your family, tell VA and ask for a new exam.
What should I bring?
VA says you don't need to bring anything. Send any new medical records to VA before the exam, because the examiner can't send them in for you. Arrive 15 minutes early and wear clothes you can move in. Many veterans find it helps to bring a short list of their symptoms, medicines and side effects, and key dates, so nothing is forgotten.
Can someone come with me?
You can ask the examiner. They may ask family members or caregivers to wait outside. For a sensitive physical exam, you can ask for a chaperone in the room.
Can I get a copy of the report?
Yes. Ask VA with a Freedom of Information Act or Privacy Act request (VA Form 20-10206). VetEZ Claim can help you fill it out and send it.
Can my own doctor fill out the form instead?
For many conditions, yes. VA publishes the exam forms (DBQs) your own doctor can fill out and you can send in. VA doesn't pay for this. A few exam forms are for VA's own examiners.
Checked against VA's forms and rules on October 16, 2026. General information only, not medical or legal advice about your claim. VA decides every claim.
