Muscle Group XIII — Posterior Thigh/Hamstrings

DC 5313Musculoskeletal38 CFR 4.73, DC 5313

Muscle Group XIII includes the posterior thigh group (hamstring muscles): the biceps femoris, semimembranosus, and semitendinosus. These muscles control flexion of the knee and extension of the hip, and are essential for walking, running, climbing, and decelerating movement. In military service, injuries commonly occur from sprinting and running during combat and physical training, explosive movements during tactical operations, penetrating wounds from shrapnel or gunshot to the posterior thigh, heavy lifting and carrying while wearing body armor and equipment, and hamstring strains from obstacle course training. The VA rates Muscle Group XIII 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 5313

Rating range

0% – 40%

Rating levels

Rating criteria are defined in 38 CFR 4.73, DC 5313. 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 XIII injury is severe. There is extensive scarring with severe loss of hamstring muscle substance and visible atrophy. Knee flexion and hip extension are profoundly impaired, resulting in significant gait abnormality and inability to run, climb, or perform activities requiring lower extremity power.

What the VA looks for

Ragged, depressed, or adherent scars
Severe hamstring substance loss with visible atrophy
Muscle swelling and hardening abnormally in contraction
X-ray evidence of retained foreign bodies or bony changes
Profound impairment of knee flexion and hip extension
Severely abnormal gait requiring assistive device

Common Pitfalls

⚠Not documenting your MOS and specific duties that caused the injury — hamstring injuries should be linked to military sprinting, running, obstacle courses, combat operations, or specific penetrating trauma.
⚠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 documenting the impact on knee stability — the hamstrings are critical knee stabilizers, and their weakness can contribute to anterior cruciate ligament insufficiency and knee instability that should be separately evaluated.
⚠Not testing both knee flexion and hip extension — Muscle Group XIII controls both movements, and both must be tested to fully capture the functional deficit from hamstring injury.

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 XIII — Posterior Thigh/Hamstrings

How the VA rates this condition

Diagnostic code

DC 5313

Rating range

0% – 40%

Rating levels

Rating Levels

What the VA looks for

Ragged, depressed, or adherent scars
Severe hamstring substance loss with visible atrophy
Muscle swelling and hardening abnormally in contraction
X-ray evidence of retained foreign bodies or bony changes
Profound impairment of knee flexion and hip extension
Severely abnormal gait requiring assistive device

Common Pitfalls

⚠Not documenting your MOS and specific duties that caused the injury — hamstring injuries should be linked to military sprinting, running, obstacle courses, combat operations, or specific penetrating trauma.

⚠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 documenting the impact on knee stability — the hamstrings are critical knee stabilizers, and their weakness can contribute to anterior cruciate ligament insufficiency and knee instability that should be separately evaluated.

⚠Not testing both knee flexion and hip extension — Muscle Group XIII controls both movements, and both must be tested to fully capture the functional deficit from hamstring injury.