VA Diagnostic Code 5301Group I. Function: Upward rotation of scapula; elevation of arm above shoulder level. Extrinsic muscles of shoulder girdle: (1) Trapezius; (2) levator scapulae; (3) serratus magnus
Rated from 0% to 40% under § 4.73. Here is what the VA requires at each level.
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What each rating requires
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- 40%30% non-dominant
Severe
- 30%20% non-dominant
Moderately Severe
- 10%10% non-dominant
Moderate
- 0%0% non-dominant
Slight
VA Disability Rating: Muscle Injuries — Group I Shoulder Girdle Muscles (Diagnostic Code 5301)
Understanding This Condition
Diagnostic Code 5301 covers injuries to the Group I muscles of the shoulder girdle. These are the extrinsic muscles responsible for the upward rotation of the scapula and elevation of the arm above shoulder level.
The muscles in this group are:
- Trapezius
- Levator scapulae
- Serratus magnus
This condition is rated under § 4.73 in the Muscle Injuries body system.
How the VA Rates This Condition
The VA assigns a disability rating based on the severity of the muscle injury. Ratings differ depending on whether the injury affects your dominant (major) or non-dominant (minor) arm.
| Criteria | Dominant Extremity | Non-Dominant Extremity |
|---|---|---|
| Severe | 40% | 30% |
| Moderately Severe | 30% | 20% |
| Moderate | 10% | 10% |
| Slight | 0% | 0% |
What the VA Looks For
When rating a Group I muscle injury, the VA evaluates the severity of the muscle disability — classified as Slight, Moderate, Moderately Severe, or Severe.
The VA also considers which arm is affected. Injuries to the dominant (major) arm may be rated higher than the same injury to the non-dominant (minor) arm at the more serious severity levels.
Because this muscle group governs upward rotation of the scapula and raising the arm above shoulder level, the VA's evaluation is focused on how the injury impacts these functions.
This information is provided for general educational purposes and is based on the VA rating schedule under § 4.73. It is not legal advice, and individual rating outcomes depend on the specific facts of each claim.
These criteria are a rendering of § 4.73, diagnostic code 5301. The official version is the one that governs your rating.
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Look at the rung above yours and write down exactly what it asks for that your file does not show yet — a diagnosis, a measurement, a prescribed brace, a doctor’s opinion linking it to service.
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File under diagnostic code 5301 and attach the evidence for the level you are asking for. Other Muscle Injuries codes may cover your secondary conditions.
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