Military Disability for the Muscles
Topics:
The Muscle Groups
The Slight to Severe Scale
The Muscle Groups
The VA awards Military Disability for the muscles when the conditions are service-connected. The DoD awards Military Disability for the muscles when the service-connected conditions also make the service member Unfit for Duty. For Reservists, the condition must have occurred in the Line of Duty to qualify.
To determine Military Disability for the muscles, the muscles are divided into twenty-three groups based on their location and function in the body.
The Shoulder and Upper Arm Muscles:
- Group I includes the muscles that raise the arm forward
- Group II includes the muscles that lower the arm
- Group III includes the muscles that raise the arm to the side
- Group IV includes the muscles that rotate the arm
- Group V includes the muscles that flex the elbow
- Group VI includes the muscles that extend the elbow
The Forearm and Hand Muscles:
- Group VII includes the flexion muscles
- Group VIII includes the extension muscles
- Group IX includes the small hand muscles
The Foot and Lower Leg Muscles:
- Group X includes the plantar and dorsal muscles
- Group XI includes the calf muscles
- Group XII includes the dorsiflexion muscles
The Buttock, Hip, and Thigh Muscles:
- Group XIII includes the hamstring muscles
- Group XIV includes the quadriceps muscles
- Group XV includes the muscles on the inner thigh
- Group XVI includes the muscles of the pelvic girdle
- Group XVII includes the muscles of the buttocks
- Group XVIII includes the muscles of the hip
The Torso and Neck Muscles:
- Group XIX includes the abdominal muscles
- Group XX includes the paraspinal muscles
- Group XXI includes the thoracic muscles
- Group XXII includes the muscles at the front and side of the neck
- Group XXIII includes the muscles at the back of the neck
The Facial Muscles do not have a group, but are all rated under code 5325.
Only a single rating can be given for each group of muscles, regardless of the number of individual muscles damaged in the group. All symptoms for each group will be considered together and a single overall rating given for each group.
See the Combined Ratings for Muscle Injuries principle for other special circumstances that govern Military Disability for the muscles.
All muscle conditions are either rated on the Slight to Severe Scale or on limited motion of the affected joints, whichever gives the higher rating, but a rating for both cannot be given unless a completely different condition causes the limited motion (see the Pyramiding Principle).
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The Slight to Severe Scale
To determine Military Disability for the muscles, the severity of a muscle disability is decided by the presence of the cardinal signs and symptoms, the type of wound, and the effect of any scars. Not all muscle injuries are caused by external injuries, like a projectile wound, so it is important to remember that not all bullet points below must be met in order for a wound to qualify for a severity. This scale paints a picture of the type of muscle damage that should be present for each severity. To determine the correct severity, choose the level that best describes the symptoms and level of disability caused by the injury.
The Cardinal Signs and Symptoms include:
- loss of power
- weakness
- easily fatigued
- pain with fatigue
- lack of coordination
- decreased movement control
The Slight to Severe Scale
SLIGHT muscle disability:
- A simple wound without infection or debris (bits of bone, shrapnel, etc.).
- An easily treated wound with good healing and function.
- No Cardinal Signs and Symptoms.
- Small scars with no impairment of function.
MODERATE muscle disability:
- A through-and-through or deep penetrating wound without serious infection or debris.
- The regular presence of one or more of the Cardinal Signs and Symptoms.
- Small scars with some loss of muscle tone or substance, some loss of power, and a bit more easily fatigued.
MODERATELY SEVERE muscle disability:
- A through-and-through or deep penetrating wound with debris, prolonged infection, and the development of limiting scar tissue in the muscles.
- Hospitalization needed for treatment, the constant presence of the Cardinal Signs and Symptoms, and significant decrease in the ability to work.
- Significant scars that stretch across one or more muscle groups, loss of muscle substance and tone, and a definite decrease in function and use.
SEVERE muscle disability:
- A through-and-through or deep penetrating wound with shattered bones and lots of debris, prolonged infection, and seriously limiting scarring in the muscles.
- Lengthy hospitalization needed for treatment, the constant and very serious presence of the Cardinal Signs and Symptoms, and a definite inability to work.
- Very large and jagged scars stretching across a large area, serious loss of muscle substance and tone (even causing muscles to be flabby and weak), and significantly abnormal muscle function.
- Other evidence of severe disability could include X-ray evidence of foreign bodies in the muscles, skin attaching directly to the bone instead of the bone being covered by muscle, decreased response in the muscles to electric shocks, significant Atrophy, other muscle groups having to compensate for the injured muscle group, and atrophy of connected muscles not directly damaged.
Special circumstances:
- If the condition is an open comminuted fracture with muscle damage, then it will be rated as severe damage to the muscles affected.(If the wound is open, it will almost always have muscle damage unless it is strictly over a purely boney spot like the wrist.)
- A through-and-through muscle injury will be no less than moderate for each group of muscles damaged.
Check out the ratings pages for the muscles groups to find the exact ratings for each severity for each muscle group.
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FAQs
How is Military Disability for the muscles determined?
The rules of the VASRD are used to rate muscle conditions based on the Slight to Severe Scale or on limited motion of the surrounding joints. Check out our various muscle ratings pages for the exact codes and ratings.
My muscle condition wasn't diagnosed until after I was discharged. Can I qualify for Military Disability for the muscles?
The VA can only rate conditions that meet some type of service-connection requirement. For conditions diagnosed after service, the condition must either be a secondary condition caused by another service-connected condition, or it must be on the VA's Presumptive List.
Are my conditions eligible for a rating?
Your conditions are eligible to be rated by the VA if they are the result of your military service. You must be able to show proof of service-connection for each condition. For the DoD, they will rate your service-connected conditions as long as they also make you Unfit for Duty.
How do I apply to receive my Military Disability for the muscles?
If you are still in the military, then you can request for your military physician to refer you to the MEB and start the IDES process. If you are already a veteran, you can submit a VA Disability Claim along with evidence of service-connection and all medical records regarding the conditions on the claim.
If my claim is approved, what benefits will I receive for my Military Disability for the muscles?
If you are rated 20% or less from the DoD, then you will receive a single separation payment. If you are rated 30% or more, you will receive full retirement benefits. From the VA, you will receive a monthly payment as well as full medical care from the VA for the qualifying conditions.
How long does it take to receive my Military Disability for the muscles?
Brand new claims usually take 3-6 months to process. Once processed, you will start receiving payments in 1-3 months.
How are the rating percentages assigned to my conditions?
The rules of the VA's Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD) are used to assign rating percentages to conditions. The VASRD gives rating rules for conditions based on their symptoms, treatment options, and the resulting level of disability they cause.
My conditions have worsened. How do I increase my Military Disability for the muscles?
If your conditions have worsened since you last applied and now qualify for a higher rating, you can submit a new claim, checking the box for an increased evaluation.
