---
title: "DC 5325 - Muscle injury, facial muscles. Evaluate functional impairment as seventh (facial) cranial nerve neuropathy (diagnostic code 8207), disfiguring scar (diagnostic code 7800), etc. Minimum, if interfering to any extent with masticationâ10"
diagnostic_code: "5325"
body_system: "Muscle Injuries"
cfr_section: "§ 4.73"
canonical: "https://veteranai.co/va-rating-schedule/muscle-injuries/5325-muscle-injury-facial-muscles-evaluate-functional-impairment"
source: "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.73"
updated: "2026-07-21T20:10:24.450789Z"
---

# DC 5325 - Muscle injury, facial muscles. Evaluate functional impairment as seventh (facial) cranial nerve neuropathy (diagnostic code 8207), disfiguring scar (diagnostic code 7800), etc. Minimum, if interfering to any extent with masticationâ10

Rated under § 4.73. Body system: Muscle Injuries.

Evaluate functional impairment as seventh (facial) cranial nerve neuropathy (diagnostic code 8207), disfiguring scar (diagnostic code 7800), etc. Minimum, if interfering to any extent with masticationâ10

## Rating criteria

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

# Facial Muscle Injury (Diagnostic Code 5325)

*VA Disability Rating Schedule · 38 CFR § 4.73 · Body System: Muscle Injuries*

## Understanding Facial Muscle Injuries

An injury to the facial muscles can affect the way the muscles of the face function. Because these muscles play a role in a variety of activities and appearances, the VA evaluates this condition based on the specific way it impairs function rather than through a single fixed set of rating percentages.

## How the VA Rates This Condition

Under Diagnostic Code 5325, the VA evaluates the **functional impairment** caused by the facial muscle injury. Depending on how the injury affects you, it may be rated under one or more related diagnostic codes, such as:

- **Seventh (facial) cranial nerve neuropathy** — Diagnostic Code 8207
- **Disfiguring scar** — Diagnostic Code 7800
- Other applicable diagnostic codes, depending on the nature of the impairment

**Minimum rating:** A minimum evaluation of **10%** applies if the injury interferes *to any extent* with mastication (chewing).

## What the VA Looks For

When rating a facial muscle injury, the VA focuses on the actual functional impairment that results from the injury. This means the VA considers:

- Whether the injury affects related nerve function (such as the seventh/facial cranial nerve)
- Whether the injury has resulted in a disfiguring scar
- Whether the injury interferes with mastication (chewing), which supports at least a 10% minimum evaluation

Because the evaluation is tied to functional impairment, the VA may direct the rating to the diagnostic code that best matches how your specific injury affects you.

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*This information is drawn directly from the VA rating schedule under 38 CFR § 4.73. It is provided for general educational purposes and describes how the VA structures its evaluation criteria.*

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