What happens during a C&P exam for Grip Strength Loss?

Do NOT stretch, warm up, or take pain medication before your exam. The VA needs your baseline limitation. Report your WORST day. DeLuca v. Brown requires documentation of functional loss during flare-ups.

← All Condition Guides

CLAIM RECON INTEL

Grip Strength Loss

Q: What are the VA rating percentages for Grip Strength Loss?

Grip Strength Loss (DC 5309) is rated at 10% under 38 CFR § 4.73, DC 5309. Per the Note to DC 5309: "Rate on limitation of motion, minimum 10 percent." DC 5309 does NOT carry a Slight/Moderate/Moderately Severe/Severe tier schedule like the other muscle groups; the rater uses the joint-specific limitation-of-motion DC (DC 5215 wrist, DC 5228-5230 single finger LOM, DC 5224-5227 single finger ankylosis, DC 5216-5223 multi-digit ankylosis) and assigns the HIGHER of (a) the LOM rating or (b) the 10% minimum. The 10% floor applies whenever DC 5309 muscle injury is established, even if the joint-specific LOM rating would otherwise be 0%.

Q: What rates 10% for Grip Strength Loss under 38 CFR § 4.73, DC 5309?

Under 38 CFR § 4.73, DC 5309 (DC 5309), a 10% rating for Grip Strength Loss requires: Per the Note to DC 5309: "Rate on limitation of motion, minimum 10 percent." DC 5309 does NOT carry a Slight/Moderate/Moderately Severe/Severe tier schedule like the other muscle groups; the rater uses the joint-specific limitation-of-motion DC (DC 5215 wrist, DC 5228-5230 single finger LOM, DC 5224-5227 single finger ankylosis, DC 5216-5223 multi-digit ankylosis) and assigns the HIGHER of (a) the LOM rating or (b) the 10% minimum. The 10% floor applies whenever DC 5309 muscle injury is established, even if the joint-specific LOM rating would otherwise be 0%.

Q: What evidence do I need for a Grip Strength Loss VA claim?

Key evidence for a Grip Strength Loss claim includes: Service treatment records showing injury or complaints; Imaging (X-ray, MRI, CT); Range of motion measurements; Flare-up documentation per Sharp v. Shulkin; Buddy statements describing limitations. All evidence should document both the condition and its impact on daily functioning.

DC 530938 C.F.R. § 4.73

Diagnostic Code

DC 5309

38 C.F.R. § 4.73

Rating Range

10–10%

1 severity tier

Source

Verified

38 C.F.R. § 4.73

Grip Strength Loss is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 5309 of 38 CFR § 4.73, DC 5309 across 1 severity tier (10%). Service connection requires (1) a current diagnosis, (2) an in-service event, injury, or exposure, and (3) a medical nexus opinion linking the two under 38 C.F.R. § 3.303.

Educational tool only. Not legal or medical advice. Not affiliated with the VA.

Overview

Significant loss of grip and pinch strength in the hand affecting ability to hold objects, open containers, and perform daily tasks

Rating Criteria

10%

Per the Note to DC 5309: "Rate on limitation of motion, minimum 10 percent." DC 5309 does NOT carry a Slight/Moderate/Moderately Severe/Severe tier schedule like the other muscle groups; the rater uses the joint-specific limitation-of-motion DC (DC 5215 wrist, DC 5228-5230 single finger LOM, DC 5224-5227 single finger ankylosis, DC 5216-5223 multi-digit ankylosis) and assigns the HIGHER of (a) the LOM rating or (b) the 10% minimum. The 10% floor applies whenever DC 5309 muscle injury is established, even if the joint-specific LOM rating would otherwise be 0%.

03Key Evidence

—Service treatment records showing injury or complaints

—Imaging (X-ray, MRI, CT)

—Range of motion measurements

—Flare-up documentation per Sharp v. Shulkin

—Buddy statements describing limitations

—Prescription history

—Physical therapy records

—Employment impact documentation

04C&P Exam Tips

1Do NOT stretch, warm up, or take pain medication before your exam. The VA needs your baseline limitation.

2Report your WORST day. DeLuca v. Brown requires documentation of functional loss during flare-ups.

3Tell the examiner about flare-ups: frequency, duration, estimated ROM loss. Sharp v. Shulkin (2017) requires estimates.

4Request active, passive, weight-bearing, and non-weight-bearing ROM testing per Correia v. McDonald (2016).

5If you use assistive devices (brace, cane), bring them.

6Describe daily activity impact: work, sleep, household tasks.

Tools

Rating Calculator →Secondaries Explorer →C&P Exam Prep →PACT Act Scanner →2026 Rates →

Sources & Editorial

Rating criteria text quoted verbatim from 38 C.F.R. § 4.73 (Muscle injuries). Source verified 2026-05-27 by ClaimRecon Editorial Team against the Cornell Law CFR mirror; eCFR.gov is the authoritative government source.

View § 4.73 on eCFR →Cornell Law mirror →Editorial Standards →Suggest a correction →

EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. NOT LEGAL OR MEDICAL ADVICE.
NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
CLAIM RECON 2026

LOADING