What rates 40% for Muscle Injury Group XX (Spinal Muscles) under 38 CFR § 4.73, DC 5320?

Under 38 CFR § 4.73, DC 5320 (DC 5320), a 40% rating for Muscle Injury Group XX (Spinal Muscles) requires: Forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine 30 degrees or less; or favorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine.

What rates 50% for Muscle Injury Group XX (Spinal Muscles) under 38 CFR § 4.73, DC 5320?

Under 38 CFR § 4.73, DC 5320 (DC 5320), a 50% rating for Muscle Injury Group XX (Spinal Muscles) requires: Unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine.

What rates 100% for Muscle Injury Group XX (Spinal Muscles) under 38 CFR § 4.73, DC 5320?

Under 38 CFR § 4.73, DC 5320 (DC 5320), a 100% rating for Muscle Injury Group XX (Spinal Muscles) requires: Unfavorable ankylosis of the entire spine.

What happens during a C&P exam for Muscle Injury Group XX (Spinal Muscles)?

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 XX (Spinal Muscles)

Q: What are the VA rating percentages for Muscle Injury Group XX (Spinal Muscles)?

Muscle Injury Group XX (Spinal Muscles) (DC 5320) is rated at 10%, 20%, 40%, 50%, 100% under 38 CFR § 4.73, DC 5320. Forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 60 degrees but not greater than 85 degrees; or combined range of motion greater than 120 degrees but not greater than 235 degrees; or muscle spasm, guarding, or localized tenderness.

Q: What rates 10% for Muscle Injury Group XX (Spinal Muscles) under 38 CFR § 4.73, DC 5320?

Under 38 CFR § 4.73, DC 5320 (DC 5320), a 10% rating for Muscle Injury Group XX (Spinal Muscles) requires: Forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 60 degrees but not greater than 85 degrees; or combined range of motion greater than 120 degrees but not greater than 235 degrees; or muscle spasm, guarding, or localized tenderness.

Q: What rates 20% for Muscle Injury Group XX (Spinal Muscles) under 38 CFR § 4.73, DC 5320?

Under 38 CFR § 4.73, DC 5320 (DC 5320), a 20% rating for Muscle Injury Group XX (Spinal Muscles) requires: Forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees; or combined range of motion not greater than 120 degrees; or muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in abnormal gait or abnormal spinal contour.

Q: What evidence do I need for a Muscle Injury Group XX (Spinal Muscles) VA claim?

Key evidence for a Muscle Injury Group XX (Spinal Muscles) 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 532038 C.F.R. § 4.73

Diagnostic Code

DC 5320

38 C.F.R. § 4.73

Rating Range

10–100%

5 severity tiers

Source

Referenced

38 C.F.R. Part 4

Muscle Injury Group XX (Spinal Muscles) is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 5320 of 38 CFR § 4.73, DC 5320 across 5 severity tiers (10% / 20% / 40% / 50% / 100%). 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 spinal muscles (sacrospinalis, erector spinae, paraspinals) controlling trunk extension, lateral bending, and postural support

Rating Criteria

10%

Forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 60 degrees but not greater than 85 degrees; or combined range of motion greater than 120 degrees but not greater than 235 degrees; or muscle spasm, guarding, or localized tenderness.

20%

Forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees; or combined range of motion not greater than 120 degrees; or muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in abnormal gait or abnormal spinal contour.

40%

Forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine 30 degrees or less; or favorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine.

50%

Unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine.

100%

Unfavorable ankylosis of the entire spine.

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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