---
title: "DC 5303 - Group 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"
diagnostic_code: "5303"
body_system: "Muscle Injuries"
cfr_section: "§ 4.73"
canonical: "https://veteranai.co/va-rating-schedule/muscle-injuries/5303-group-iii-function-elevation-and-abduction-of-arm-to-level"
source: "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.73"
updated: "2026-07-21T20:07:00.697197Z"
---

# DC 5303 - Group 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 under § 4.73. Body system: Muscle Injuries.

## Rating criteria

| Rating | Rating (non-dominant) | Criteria |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 40% | 30% | Severe |
| 30% | 20% | Moderately Severe |
| 20% | 20% | Moderate |
| 0% | 0% | 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:

| Severity | 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.

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*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.*

Source: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.73