---
title: "DC 5324 - Diaphragm, rupture of, with herniation. Rate under diagnostic code 7346"
diagnostic_code: "5324"
body_system: "Muscle Injuries"
cfr_section: "§ 4.73"
canonical: "https://veteranai.co/va-rating-schedule/muscle-injuries/5324-diaphragm-rupture-of-with-herniation-rate-under-diagnostic"
source: "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.73"
updated: "2026-07-21T20:10:05.655349Z"
---

# DC 5324 - Diaphragm, rupture of, with herniation. Rate under diagnostic code 7346

Rated under § 4.73. Body system: Muscle Injuries.

Rate under diagnostic code 7346

## Rating criteria

No itemised criteria have been extracted for this code. Use the official source.

# Diaphragm, Rupture of, With Herniation (VA Diagnostic Code 5324)

## Understanding This Condition

The diaphragm is the muscle that separates the chest cavity from the abdomen and plays a central role in breathing. A **rupture of the diaphragm with herniation** occurs when a tear in this muscle allows abdominal contents to push through into the chest area.

Under the VA rating schedule, this condition falls within the **Muscle Injuries** body system and is listed under **Diagnostic Code 5324** in **§ 4.73** of the Code of Federal Regulations.

## How This Condition Is Rated

For rating purposes, the VA does **not** assign a percentage under Diagnostic Code 5324 itself. Instead, the regulation directs that this condition be **rated under Diagnostic Code 7346**.

This means that when the VA evaluates a diaphragm rupture with herniation, it applies the rating criteria associated with Diagnostic Code 7346 to determine the appropriate disability level.

## What the VA Looks For

- **Confirmation of the condition:** A rupture of the diaphragm accompanied by herniation.
- **Cross-referenced rating criteria:** Because Diagnostic Code 5324 instructs evaluators to "Rate under diagnostic code 7346," the VA turns to the standards under Diagnostic Code 7346 to assign a rating level.

---

*This information is drawn directly from the VA rating schedule entry for Diagnostic Code 5324 (§ 4.73). It is provided for general educational purposes and does not guarantee any specific rating outcome.*

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