Body system: Musculoskeletal SystemRegulation: 38 CFR § 4.71aDBQ: DBQ MUSC Shoulder and arm
This diagnostic code covers shoulder replacement surgery where you've had an artificial joint (prosthesis) implanted. The VA automatically gives you 100% disability for the first full year after your surgery, recognizing that recovery takes time. After that year, your rating drops to either 50% if you have severe pain and weakness, or 20% as the minimum rating - you'll never go below 20% once you've had a shoulder replacement.
Rating levels
- 100% — If you have had your shoulder joint surgically replaced with an artificial joint (prosthesis), you automatically qualify for this rating level for the entire first year after the surgery. During this one-year period, the VA considers you to have significant limitations in your ability to use that shoulder, regardless of how well you might actually be recovering.
- 100% — If you have had your shoulder joint surgically replaced with an artificial joint (prosthesis), you automatically qualify for this rating level for the entire first year after the surgery. During this one-year period, the VA considers you to have significant limitations in your ability to use that shoulder, regardless of how well you might actually be recovering.
- 60% — You've had your shoulder joint surgically replaced with an artificial joint, and you're still experiencing ongoing problems from the surgery. To qualify for this rating, you must have severe pain when moving your shoulder or significant weakness in that arm that interferes with your daily activities and hasn't gotten better over time.
- 50% — You have had your shoulder joint surgically replaced with an artificial joint (prosthesis), and you're experiencing ongoing problems as a result. To qualify for this rating, you must have severe pain when moving your shoulder or significant weakness in your arm, hand, or shoulder that interferes with your daily activities and hasn't improved over time.
- 30% — If you've had surgery to replace your shoulder joint with an artificial joint (prosthesis), you automatically qualify for this rating level as the minimum compensation. This recognizes that having an artificial shoulder joint creates permanent limitations in your range of motion, strength, and function, even when the surgery is considered successful.
- 20% — If you have had your shoulder joint surgically replaced with an artificial joint (prosthesis), you automatically qualify for this rating level as the minimum compensation. This applies regardless of how well your shoulder functions after the replacement surgery, since having any prosthetic shoulder joint replacement warrants at least this base level of disability compensation.