Muscle Group III — Intrinsic Shoulder Girdle

DC 5303Musculoskeletal38 CFR 4.73, DC 5303

Muscle Group III includes the intrinsic muscles of the shoulder girdle: the pectoralis major I (clavicular portion) and the deltoid. These muscles are responsible for elevation and abduction of the arm to shoulder level, and forward and backward swing of the arm. In military service, injuries commonly occur from direct trauma during combat or training, overhead pressing and lifting of heavy equipment, repetitive pushing motions during vehicle maintenance, and shrapnel or gunshot wounds to the anterior shoulder and chest. The VA rates Muscle Group III injuries under 38 CFR 4.73.

How the VA rates this condition

The VA rates this condition based on how much it affects your ability to work and carry out daily activities. The examiner will focus on the functional limitations your condition causes, not just the diagnosis itself.

Diagnostic code

DC 5303

Rating range

0% – 40%

Rating levels

Rating criteria are defined in 38 CFR 4.73, DC 5303. This guide presents a plain-language summary and is not a substitute for the full regulatory text. Always consult a VSO or VA-accredited attorney for case-specific advice.

Rating Levels

Your Muscle Group III injury on the dominant side is severe. There is extensive scarring with severe loss of deltoid or pectoralis muscle substance and visible atrophy. You have profound difficulty elevating or abducting the arm, with significant functional loss of shoulder-level and overhead activities. The non-dominant side is rated at 30 percent.

What the VA looks for

Ragged, depressed, or adherent scars
Severe loss of deltoid or pectoralis substance with visible atrophy
Muscle swelling and hardening abnormally in contraction
X-ray evidence of retained foreign bodies or bony changes
Profound loss of arm elevation and abduction
Significant occupational impairment from shoulder dysfunction

Common Pitfalls

⚠Not documenting your MOS and specific duties that caused the injury — the VA needs to understand how your military occupational activities led to deltoid or pectoralis damage, including overhead lifting requirements and combat exposure.
⚠Failing to describe the cardinal signs of muscle disability per 38 CFR 4.56 — loss of power, weakness, lowered threshold of fatigue, fatigue-pain, impairment of coordination, and uncertainty of movement must each be addressed.
⚠Not distinguishing between dominant and non-dominant side — Muscle Group III ratings differ based on handedness for moderately severe and severe levels.
⚠Not documenting loss of deltoid contour — deltoid atrophy is often visible and should be photographed and documented, as it provides objective evidence of muscle substance loss.

Related DBQ Forms

DBQ Muscle Injuries

View evidence checklist →See secondary conditions →

Condition Rating Guides

Understand what the VA looks for at each rating level — loading conditions…

Muscle Group III — Intrinsic Shoulder Girdle

How the VA rates this condition

Diagnostic code

DC 5303

Rating range

0% – 40%

Rating levels

Rating Levels

What the VA looks for

Ragged, depressed, or adherent scars
Severe loss of deltoid or pectoralis substance with visible atrophy
Muscle swelling and hardening abnormally in contraction
X-ray evidence of retained foreign bodies or bony changes
Profound loss of arm elevation and abduction
Significant occupational impairment from shoulder dysfunction

Common Pitfalls

⚠Not documenting your MOS and specific duties that caused the injury — the VA needs to understand how your military occupational activities led to deltoid or pectoralis damage, including overhead lifting requirements and combat exposure.

⚠Failing to describe the cardinal signs of muscle disability per 38 CFR 4.56 — loss of power, weakness, lowered threshold of fatigue, fatigue-pain, impairment of coordination, and uncertainty of movement must each be addressed.

⚠Not distinguishing between dominant and non-dominant side — Muscle Group III ratings differ based on handedness for moderately severe and severe levels.

⚠Not documenting loss of deltoid contour — deltoid atrophy is often visible and should be photographed and documented, as it provides objective evidence of muscle substance loss.