Inflammation of the long thoracic nerve, which may cause shoulder blade pain and difficulty raising the arm.
To support a rating, medical evidence needs to show how much function you have lost in the shoulder and arm on the affected side. For a complete paralysis rating, records and examination findings would need to document inability to raise your arm above shoulder level along with a winged scapula deformity. A physical examination by a VA or private provider that measures your shoulder range of motion and documents scapular winging directly supports this level.
For incomplete paralysis at the severe or moderate level, examination findings showing significant but partial loss of shoulder strength, limited range of motion, and muscle weakness around the scapula are relevant. Nerve conduction studies or electromyography can provide objective evidence of the degree of nerve damage. If your condition is wholly sensory — meaning you have pain, numbness, or tingling without motor loss — records reflecting that would support no higher than a moderate rating. Statements from you or people who know you describing how shoulder weakness affects your work or daily tasks can also help show the functional impact of your symptoms.
Conditions that are often caused or made worse by this one. If you have any of these, they may be claimable as secondary service connection.
