VA Diagnostic Code 5303Group III. Function: Elevation and abduction of arm to level of shoulder; act with 1 and 2 of Group II in forward and backward swing of arm. Intrinsic muscles of shoulder girdle: (1) Pectoralis major I (clavicular); (2) deltoid
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
- 20%20% non-dominant
Moderate
- 0%0% non-dominant
Slight
Muscle Injury of the Shoulder Girdle (Group III) — VA Diagnostic Code 5303
Understanding This Condition
Diagnostic Code 5303 covers muscle injuries affecting Muscle Group III of the shoulder girdle. This muscle group is responsible for elevating and abducting the arm to the level of the shoulder, and it works together with parts of Group II during the forward and backward swing of the arm.
The intrinsic muscles of the shoulder girdle included in this group are:
- Pectoralis major I (clavicular)
- Deltoid
Injuries to these muscles can affect your ability to lift and move your arm at the shoulder. This condition is rated under § 4.73 in the VA's schedule of ratings for Muscle Injuries.
Available Rating Levels
The VA assigns a disability rating based on the severity of the muscle injury. Ratings differ depending on whether the injury affects your dominant or non-dominant arm. The levels for Diagnostic Code 5303 are:
| Criteria | Dominant Extremity | Non-Dominant Extremity |
|---|---|---|
| Severe | 40% | 30% |
| Moderately Severe | 30% | 20% |
| Moderate | 20% | 20% |
| Slight | 0% | 0% |
What the VA Looks At
When rating a Group III muscle injury under Diagnostic Code 5303, the VA classifies the injury according to its severity — Slight, Moderate, Moderately Severe, or Severe.
The VA also considers which arm is affected. An injury to the dominant (major) extremity may be rated higher than the same injury to the non-dominant (minor) extremity, as reflected in the rating levels above.
This information is provided for general educational purposes and is grounded in the VA rating schedule under § 4.73. It is not legal advice, and it does not guarantee any particular rating or outcome. Every claim is evaluated individually based on the evidence.
These criteria are a rendering of § 4.73, diagnostic code 5303. The official version is the one that governs your rating.
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