What are the VA rating percentages for Muscle Injury Group IV (Intrinsic Shoulder Girdle)?

Muscle Injury Group IV (Intrinsic Shoulder Girdle) (DC 5304) is rated at 0%, 10%, 20%, 30% under 38 CFR § 4.73, DC 5304. Slight disability of the muscle group with minimal scarring and no impairment of function.

What rates 0% for Muscle Injury Group IV (Intrinsic Shoulder Girdle) under 38 CFR § 4.73, DC 5304?

Under 38 CFR § 4.73, DC 5304 (DC 5304), a 0% rating for Muscle Injury Group IV (Intrinsic Shoulder Girdle) requires: Slight disability of the muscle group with minimal scarring and no impairment of function.

What rates 10% for Muscle Injury Group IV (Intrinsic Shoulder Girdle) under 38 CFR § 4.73, DC 5304?

Under 38 CFR § 4.73, DC 5304 (DC 5304), a 10% rating for Muscle Injury Group IV (Intrinsic Shoulder Girdle) requires: Moderate disability of the muscle group with loss of deep fascia or muscle substance, impairment of tone and endurance.

What happens during a C&P exam for Muscle Injury Group IV (Intrinsic Shoulder Girdle)?

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.

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Muscle Injury Group IV (Intrinsic Shoulder Girdle)

Q: What rates 20% for Muscle Injury Group IV (Intrinsic Shoulder Girdle) under 38 CFR § 4.73, DC 5304?

Under 38 CFR § 4.73, DC 5304 (DC 5304), a 20% rating for Muscle Injury Group IV (Intrinsic Shoulder Girdle) requires: Moderately severe disability with debridement, prolonged infection, or loss of deep fasciae or muscle substance, with diminished muscle excitability.

Q: What rates 30% for Muscle Injury Group IV (Intrinsic Shoulder Girdle) under 38 CFR § 4.73, DC 5304?

Under 38 CFR § 4.73, DC 5304 (DC 5304), a 30% rating for Muscle Injury Group IV (Intrinsic Shoulder Girdle) requires: Severe disability with ragged, depressed, and adherent scars; loss of deep fasciae or muscle substance; soft, flabby muscles; and severe impairment of function.

Q: What evidence do I need for a Muscle Injury Group IV (Intrinsic Shoulder Girdle) VA claim?

Key evidence for a Muscle Injury Group IV (Intrinsic Shoulder Girdle) 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 530438 C.F.R. § 4.73

Diagnostic Code

DC 5304

38 C.F.R. § 4.73

Rating Range

0–30%

4 severity tiers

Source

Referenced

38 C.F.R. Part 4

Muscle Injury Group IV (Intrinsic Shoulder Girdle) is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 5304 of 38 CFR § 4.73, DC 5304 across 4 severity tiers (0% / 10% / 20% / 30%). 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

Injury to intrinsic muscles of the shoulder girdle (supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, subscapularis) controlling arm stabilization and rotation

Rating Criteria

Slight disability of the muscle group with minimal scarring and no impairment of function.

10%

Moderate disability of the muscle group with loss of deep fascia or muscle substance, impairment of tone and endurance.

20%

Moderately severe disability with debridement, prolonged infection, or loss of deep fasciae or muscle substance, with diminished muscle excitability.

30%

Severe disability with ragged, depressed, and adherent scars; loss of deep fasciae or muscle substance; soft, flabby muscles; and severe impairment of function.

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 reference 38 C.F.R. Part 4 (Schedule for Rating Disabilities). This entry has not yet undergone editorial review against the live regulation text — consult the authoritative source directly before relying on the criteria shown.

View 38 C.F.R. Part 4 on eCFR →Editorial Standards →Suggest a correction →

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