Range of Motion (ROM)
VA Terminology Definition
Plain English Definition
How far you can move a joint, measured in degrees. This is a key measurement for musculoskeletal conditions like back, knee, and shoulder problems.
Why This Matters
ROM directly determines your rating percentage for many conditions. STOP at the point of pain during testing - if you push through pain, the examiner will record full ROM and you'll get a lower rating.
Example
Normal knee flexion is 140 degrees. If pain limits you to 45 degrees, that's a 10% rating. If you push through pain to 60 degrees, you get 0% because it's considered 'full' ROM.