VA Diagnostic Code 5308Group VIII. Function: Extension of wrist, fingers, and thumb; abduction of thumb. Muscles arising mainly from external condyle of humerus: Extensors of carpus, fingers, and thumb; supinator

VA Disability Rating for Muscle Group VIII Injuries (Diagnostic Code 5308)

Understanding Muscle Group VIII

Muscle Group VIII covers the muscles that arise mainly from the external condyle of the humerus—the extensors of the carpus (wrist), fingers, and thumb, along with the supinator. Together, these muscles are responsible for:

• Extension of the wrist, fingers, and thumb
• Abduction of the thumb

When these muscles are injured, the ability to straighten and move the wrist, fingers, and thumb can be affected. The VA rates injuries to this muscle group under § 4.73, within the Muscle Injuries body system.

How the VA Rates Muscle Group VIII (Diagnostic Code 5308)

The VA assigns a disability rating based on the severity of the muscle injury. Ratings also differ depending on whether the injury is to your dominant extremity or your non-dominant extremity.

What the VA Looks For

When rating a Muscle Group VIII injury, the VA classifies the injury along a scale from Slight to Severe. The classification determines the rating level, and the rating is further adjusted based on whether the affected wrist, fingers, and thumb are on your dominant or non-dominant side.

• A Severe injury may be rated at 30% (dominant) or 20% (non-dominant).
• A Moderately Severe injury may be rated at 20% for either the dominant or non-dominant extremity.
• A Moderate injury may be rated at 10% for either extremity.
• A Slight injury may be rated at 0% for either extremity.

Because this muscle group governs extension of the wrist, fingers, and thumb as well as thumb abduction, the VA's evaluation focuses on how the injury affects these specific functions.