LOADING
Muscle Injury (Lower Extremity) VA Disability Rating is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 5310-5318 of 38 C.F.R. § 4.73 across 3 severity tiers (40%+ -- Severe limitation or ankylosis / 20% -- Moderate limitation / 10% -- Mild limitation or painful motion). 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.
Lower extremity muscle injuries are rated under DC 5310-5318 based on the specific muscle group affected. Ratings from 0-40% based on severity: slight, moderate, moderately severe, or severe. Objective findings include loss of power, weakness, lowered threshold of fatigue, and impairment of coordination.
Muscle Injury (Lower Extremity) (DC 5310-5318) is evaluated under 38 C.F.R. § 4.73 using the musculoskeletal rating framework. Because it is rated by analogy to the general schedule, the 3 levels below describe the body-system criteria the VA applies — the percentage assigned to Muscle Injury (Lower Extremity) depends on the specific findings (range of motion, frequency, severity, or functional loss) documented at the C&P exam and in the medical record.
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.