VA Diagnostic Code 5320Group XX. Function: Postural support of body; extension and lateral movements of spine. Spinal muscles: Sacrospinalis (erector spinae and its prolongations in thoracic and cervical regions)
Rated from 0% to 60% 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%
Cervical and thoracic region: Severe
- 20%
Cervical and thoracic region: Moderately Severe
- 10%
Cervical and thoracic region: Moderate
- 0%
Cervical and thoracic region: Slight
- 60%
Lumbar region: Severe
- 40%
Lumbar region: Moderately Severe
- 20%
Lumbar region: Moderate
- 0%
Lumbar region: Slight
VA Disability Rating for Muscle Group XX Injuries (Diagnostic Code 5320)
Understanding Muscle Group XX
Muscle Group XX covers the spinal muscles, specifically the sacrospinalis (the erector spinae and its prolongations in the thoracic and cervical regions). These muscles are responsible for postural support of the body and the extension and lateral movements of the spine.
Injuries to this muscle group can affect your ability to hold your body upright and to bend or turn your spine. Under 38 CFR § 4.73, the VA rates these injuries as part of its schedule for Muscle Injuries.
How the VA Rates Muscle Group XX
The VA rates Group XX injuries based on which region of the spine is affected — the cervical and thoracic region, or the lumbar region — and on the severity of the injury (Slight, Moderate, Moderately Severe, or Severe).
Cervical and Thoracic Region
| Rating | Severity Level |
|---|---|
| 40% | Severe |
| 20% | Moderately Severe |
| 10% | Moderate |
| 0% | Slight |
Lumbar Region
| Rating | Severity Level |
|---|---|
| 60% | Severe |
| 40% | Moderately Severe |
| 20% | Moderate |
| 0% | Slight |
What the VA Looks For
When evaluating a Muscle Group XX injury, the VA considers:
- The region of the spine involved — cervical and thoracic, or lumbar — since each region has its own set of rating levels.
- The severity of the muscle injury, classified as Slight, Moderate, Moderately Severe, or Severe.
Because the function of these muscles involves postural support and the extension and lateral movements of the spine, the impact of the injury on these functions is central to how the injury is evaluated.
This information is drawn from the VA rating schedule under 38 CFR § 4.73 (Diagnostic Code 5320) and is provided for general educational purposes. Individual ratings depend on the specifics of each case.
These criteria are a rendering of § 4.73, diagnostic code 5320. The official version is the one that governs your rating.
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