Muscle Group XXII — Tongue/Swallowing Muscles

DC 5322Musculoskeletal38 CFR 4.73, DC 5322

Muscle Group XXII includes the muscles of the tongue, larynx, and pharynx involved in swallowing and speech: the hyoglossus, genioglossus, styloglossus, palatoglossus, pharyngeal constrictors, and the sternothyroid and thyrohyoid muscles. These muscles control tongue movement, swallowing, and contribute to speech articulation. In military service, injuries commonly occur from penetrating neck wounds from shrapnel or gunshot, blast injuries causing concussive damage to the throat, intubation trauma during battlefield medical care, burns from chemical or thermal exposure affecting the throat and mouth, and surgical procedures for combat injuries to the face, jaw, or neck. The VA rates Muscle Group XXII 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 5322

Rating range

0% – 30%

Rating levels

Rating criteria are defined in 38 CFR 4.73, DC 5322. 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 XXII injury is severe. There is extensive scarring with severe loss of tongue or pharyngeal muscle substance. Swallowing is profoundly impaired, potentially requiring a modified diet or feeding tube. Speech may be severely impaired or unintelligible. This represents a significant impact on nutrition, communication, and quality of life.

What the VA looks for

Ragged, depressed, or adherent scars in throat or tongue
Severe tongue or pharyngeal muscle substance loss
Aspiration risk documented on swallow study
Modified diet or feeding tube requirement
Severely impaired or unintelligible speech
Weight loss from inability to eat normally

Common Pitfalls

⚠Not documenting your MOS and specific combat or training events that caused the injury — tongue and swallowing muscle injuries should be linked to penetrating neck wounds, blast injuries, burns, intubation trauma, or surgical procedures during service.
⚠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 apply to swallowing and tongue muscles as well.
⚠Not obtaining a modified barium swallow study — this objective test demonstrates swallowing dysfunction and aspiration risk, providing critical evidence for the severity of Muscle Group XXII injury.
⚠Not claiming secondary conditions — swallowing impairment can cause aspiration pneumonia, malnutrition, weight loss, and anxiety around eating, each of which may warrant a separate secondary service connection claim.

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 XXII — Tongue/Swallowing Muscles

How the VA rates this condition

Diagnostic code

DC 5322

Rating range

0% – 30%

Rating levels

Rating Levels

What the VA looks for

Ragged, depressed, or adherent scars in throat or tongue
Severe tongue or pharyngeal muscle substance loss
Aspiration risk documented on swallow study
Modified diet or feeding tube requirement
Severely impaired or unintelligible speech
Weight loss from inability to eat normally

Common Pitfalls

⚠Not documenting your MOS and specific combat or training events that caused the injury — tongue and swallowing muscle injuries should be linked to penetrating neck wounds, blast injuries, burns, intubation trauma, or surgical procedures during service.

⚠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 apply to swallowing and tongue muscles as well.

⚠Not obtaining a modified barium swallow study — this objective test demonstrates swallowing dysfunction and aspiration risk, providing critical evidence for the severity of Muscle Group XXII injury.

⚠Not claiming secondary conditions — swallowing impairment can cause aspiration pneumonia, malnutrition, weight loss, and anxiety around eating, each of which may warrant a separate secondary service connection claim.