What rates 20% for Clavicle Fracture/Malunion under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5203?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5203 (DC 5203), a 20% rating for Clavicle Fracture/Malunion requires: Limitation of arm motion at shoulder level for dominant extremity, or midway between side and shoulder level for minor extremity.

What rates 40% for Clavicle Fracture/Malunion under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5203?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5203 (DC 5203), a 40% rating for Clavicle Fracture/Malunion requires: Limitation of arm motion to 25 degrees from side for dominant extremity.

What happens during a C&P exam for Clavicle Fracture/Malunion?

Do NOT stretch, warm up, or take pain medication before your exam. The VA needs your baseline limitation. Report your WORST day. DeLuca v. Brown requires documentation of functional loss during flare-ups.

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Clavicle Fracture/Malunion

Q: What are the VA rating percentages for Clavicle Fracture/Malunion?

Clavicle Fracture/Malunion (DC 5203) is rated at 10%, 20%, 30%, 40% under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5203. Painful motion or limitation of arm motion at shoulder level (flexion or abduction limited to shoulder level/90 degrees) for minor extremity.

Q: What rates 10% for Clavicle Fracture/Malunion under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5203?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5203 (DC 5203), a 10% rating for Clavicle Fracture/Malunion requires: Painful motion or limitation of arm motion at shoulder level (flexion or abduction limited to shoulder level/90 degrees) for minor extremity.

Q: What rates 30% for Clavicle Fracture/Malunion under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5203?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5203 (DC 5203), a 30% rating for Clavicle Fracture/Malunion requires: Limitation of arm motion midway between side and shoulder level for dominant extremity, or to 25 degrees from side for minor extremity.

Q: What evidence do I need for a Clavicle Fracture/Malunion VA claim?

Key evidence for a Clavicle Fracture/Malunion claim includes: Service treatment records showing injury or complaints; Imaging (X-ray, MRI, CT); Range of motion measurements; Flare-up documentation per Sharp v. Shulkin; Buddy statements describing limitations. All evidence should document both the condition and its impact on daily functioning.

DC 520338 C.F.R. § 4.71a

Diagnostic Code

DC 5203

38 C.F.R. § 4.71a

Rating Range

10–40%

4 severity tiers

Source

Referenced

38 C.F.R. Part 4

Clavicle Fracture/Malunion is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 5203 of 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5203 across 4 severity tiers (10% / 20% / 30% / 40%). Service connection requires (1) a current diagnosis, (2) an in-service event, injury, or exposure, and (3) a medical nexus opinion linking the two under 38 C.F.R. § 3.303.

Educational tool only. Not legal or medical advice. Not affiliated with the VA.

Overview

Fracture, malunion, or nonunion of the clavicle (collarbone) causing shoulder pain, weakness, and limited motion

Rating Criteria

10%

Painful motion or limitation of arm motion at shoulder level (flexion or abduction limited to shoulder level/90 degrees) for minor extremity.

20%

Limitation of arm motion at shoulder level for dominant extremity, or midway between side and shoulder level for minor extremity.

30%

Limitation of arm motion midway between side and shoulder level for dominant extremity, or to 25 degrees from side for minor extremity.

40%

Limitation of arm motion to 25 degrees from side for dominant extremity.

03Key Evidence

—Service treatment records showing injury or complaints

—Imaging (X-ray, MRI, CT)

—Range of motion measurements

—Flare-up documentation per Sharp v. Shulkin

—Buddy statements describing limitations

—Prescription history

—Physical therapy records

—Employment impact documentation

04C&P Exam Tips

1Do NOT stretch, warm up, or take pain medication before your exam. The VA needs your baseline limitation.

2Report your WORST day. DeLuca v. Brown requires documentation of functional loss during flare-ups.

3Tell the examiner about flare-ups: frequency, duration, estimated ROM loss. Sharp v. Shulkin (2017) requires estimates.

4Request active, passive, weight-bearing, and non-weight-bearing ROM testing per Correia v. McDonald (2016).

5If you use assistive devices (brace, cane), bring them.

6Describe daily activity impact: work, sleep, household tasks.

Tools

Rating Calculator →Secondaries Explorer →C&P Exam Prep →PACT Act Scanner →2026 Rates →

Sources & Editorial

Rating criteria reference 38 C.F.R. Part 4 (Schedule for Rating Disabilities). This entry has not yet undergone editorial review against the live regulation text — consult the authoritative source directly before relying on the criteria shown.

View 38 C.F.R. Part 4 on eCFR →Editorial Standards →Suggest a correction →

EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. NOT LEGAL OR MEDICAL ADVICE.
NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
CLAIM RECON 2026

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