Reduced range of motion in the shoulder joint, limiting arm movement.
The key evidence for this condition is a measurement of how far you can move your arm. Range-of-motion measurements in degrees, recorded during a VA examination or by your own doctor, directly correspond to the rating levels. An examiner will typically measure the highest angle you can reach through flexion and abduction, so records from multiple appointments showing consistent or worsening limits are useful.
Medical records that note pain, muscle weakness, or guarding during motion can also be relevant, particularly if they explain why your arm stops at a certain point. Imaging such as X-rays or MRIs may document the underlying shoulder condition and support what the range-of-motion findings show.
Statements from you or people who know you — describing difficulty raising your arm to reach overhead, lift objects, or perform work tasks — can help show how limited motion affects your daily life. If the affected arm is your dominant or nondominant side, making that clear in records and statements matters, because the rating differs based on which arm is involved.
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.
