If you developed shoulder pain or reduced movement after a vaccination, you may be wondering whether you can seek compensation through the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP). One important question is whether your SIRVA claim is considered “on-table” or “off-table.”

That distinction affects how you must prove that the vaccine caused your injury. An on-table claim may qualify for a legal presumption of causation if it meets the Vaccine Injury Table's requirements. An off-table claim does not receive that presumption, so you generally need evidence showing that the vaccination caused the injury.

Neither path automatically determines the outcome. Understanding the difference can help you see what evidence may matter and what steps to consider next.

What is the Vaccine Injury Table?

The Vaccine Injury Table is a federal reference that connects certain vaccines with specific injuries and timeframes. It is part of the VICP, the federal program that reviews eligible claims for injuries associated with covered vaccines.

For each listed injury, the Table identifies criteria such as how soon symptoms must begin after vaccination. If a petitioner establishes that the vaccine and injury match the Table requirements, the law may presume that the vaccine caused the injury. This is commonly called a “Table” or “on-table” claim.

The current Vaccine Injury Table sets out the applicable criteria. The HRSA VICP overview also explains how the program works.

What makes a SIRVA claim on-table?

SIRVA stands for shoulder injury related to vaccine administration. The Table describes a particular kind of musculoskeletal shoulder injury following a vaccine intended to be given into the muscle of the upper arm.

To meet the Table definition, the claim generally needs to show that:

• Shoulder pain and reduced range of motion began within 48 hours of vaccination.
• The symptoms affect the shoulder where the vaccine was given.
• There was no pre-vaccination pain, inflammation, or shoulder dysfunction that would explain the symptoms.
• Another condition does not better explain the symptoms.

The 48-hour requirement concerns the onset of symptoms, not when a doctor confirms the diagnosis or when an MRI, treatment, or surgery takes place. A person may seek care later and still have symptoms that began within the Table's timeframe. Medical records and a clear account of when the symptoms first appeared can be important.

Meeting the timing requirement alone is not enough. The other parts of the Table definition also matter. For example, a pre-existing shoulder problem or a different diagnosis may affect whether the injury qualifies as Table SIRVA.

What makes a SIRVA claim off-table?

A claim may be considered off-table if it does not satisfy one or more requirements for Table SIRVA. For example, symptoms may have begun more than 48 hours after vaccination, or the medical evidence may point to another explanation for the shoulder symptoms.

A prior shoulder condition can also affect whether the Table definition is met. That does not necessarily mean there is no claim to consider. Depending on the facts, a person may argue that the vaccination caused a new injury or significantly worsened an existing condition. Those arguments require careful review of the medical history and evidence.

“Off-table” describes the route for proving causation. It does not mean that the alleged injury is unimportant, that a claim cannot be filed, or that compensation is impossible.

How does the proof burden differ?

The main difference between the two paths is how you must establish that the vaccine caused the injury.

On-table: causation may be presumed

If the evidence establishes a covered vaccine, a Table-listed injury, and all applicable Table criteria, the claim may receive a presumption that the vaccine caused the injury. That can make the causation question more direct because you generally do not need to prove the medical cause from the beginning.

The presumption is not an automatic award. The claim must still meet the program's other requirements, and the evidence must support the Table criteria. The government may also present evidence seeking to show that the injury was caused by something unrelated to the vaccination.

Off-table: causation must be proven

An off-table claim does not receive the Table presumption. You generally need to show, through the evidence, that the vaccination caused the injury. Medical records, a detailed timeline, and expert medical opinions may help explain the proposed connection.

The legal standard is often called “causation-in-fact.” In practical terms, the claim must present a reasoned, evidence-supported explanation connecting the vaccine to the injury. The specific evidence needed depends on the facts of the case. An off-table claim can be more challenging, but it may still be eligible for compensation.

Why does the diagnosis matter?

Shoulder pain after a vaccine can have different causes. A diagnosis helps clarify what condition you experienced and whether it fits the Table's definition of SIRVA or another injury theory.

Your medical records may include information about:

• When the pain and limited movement began.
• Which shoulder was affected and where the vaccine was administered.
• Any shoulder symptoms or treatment before vaccination.
• Examination findings, imaging, and treatment history.
• Other diagnoses that may explain the symptoms.

An imaging result can be relevant, but it does not necessarily establish by itself what caused the injury or when it began. A SIRVA lawyer can review the diagnosis alongside the timeline and the full medical record. Clear, consistent documentation may be useful whether the claim is on-table or off-table.

Can an off-table SIRVA claim still lead to compensation?

Yes. Both on-table and off-table claims may lead to compensation if they meet the VICP's requirements and are supported by sufficient evidence. The difference is that an on-table claim may benefit from a presumption of causation, while an off-table claim must establish the connection between the vaccine and the injury through evidence.

The type of claim is only one part of the review. The VICP also has eligibility and filing rules. For example, the program has a filing deadline that generally runs three years from the first symptom or manifestation of onset, or significant aggravation, of an injury. The details can depend on the circumstances, so it is prudent to review the timing with a qualified professional.

You can learn more about the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, the VICP claim process, and vaccines covered by the program.

What should you do if you are unsure which path applies?

It may not be obvious whether your symptoms meet the Table criteria. The date symptoms began, the shoulder involved, any earlier shoulder problems, and the medical diagnosis can all matter. Do not assume that a delayed diagnosis means your symptoms began too late, or that a prior shoulder condition automatically rules out every possible claim.

Gather your vaccination and treatment records, and write down what you remember about when symptoms first appeared and how they changed. Keep copies of relevant medical notes, imaging reports, and treatment recommendations. These materials can help an attorney assess whether an on-table or off-table approach may fit your circumstances.

A vaccine injury lawyer can review the records, explain how the legal criteria apply, and help you understand what evidence may be needed. No particular result can be guaranteed, and every claim depends on its facts.

Talk with a SIRVA lawyer about your options

The distinction between on-table and off-table SIRVA claims can affect how causation is established, but it does not tell the whole story of your case. A careful review of your diagnosis, timeline, and medical history can help clarify the options available to you.

At Vaccine Act Lawyers, we focus on Vaccine Act cases and can help you understand the VICP process in clear terms. If you have questions about a shoulder injury from a vaccine, you are welcome to contact us for a low-pressure consultation. We will listen to your concerns, review the information you have, and explain possible next steps.