What happens during a C&P exam for Muscle Disuse Atrophy?

Do NOT stretch, warm up, or take pain medication before your exam. The VA needs your baseline limitation. Report your WORST day. DeLuca v. Brown requires documentation of functional loss during flare-ups.

EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. Not legal or medical advice. Not affiliated with the VA.

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Muscle Disuse Atrophy

Q: What are the VA rating percentages for Muscle Disuse Atrophy?

Muscle Disuse Atrophy (DC 5299) is rated at 0% under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5299. Per § 4.20 + § 4.14 (anti-pyramiding): rate the underlying muscle group under § 4.73 DC 5301-5329 (e.g., DC 5311 calf, DC 5314 quadriceps) and/or the denervation under § 4.124a peripheral nerve DCs. Disuse atrophy itself is a SIGN of the underlying impairment, not a separately ratable condition.

Q: What rates 0% for Muscle Disuse Atrophy under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5299?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5299 (DC 5299), a 0% rating for Muscle Disuse Atrophy requires: Per § 4.20 + § 4.14 (anti-pyramiding): rate the underlying muscle group under § 4.73 DC 5301-5329 (e.g., DC 5311 calf, DC 5314 quadriceps) and/or the denervation under § 4.124a peripheral nerve DCs. Disuse atrophy itself is a SIGN of the underlying impairment, not a separately ratable condition.

Q: What evidence do I need for a Muscle Disuse Atrophy VA claim?

Key evidence for a Muscle Disuse Atrophy claim includes: Service treatment records showing injury or complaints; Imaging (X-ray, MRI, CT); Range of motion measurements; Flare-up documentation per Sharp v. Shulkin; Buddy statements describing limitations. All evidence should document both the condition and its impact on daily functioning.

DC 5299 | 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5299 | 

✓ VERIFIED AGAINST 38 C.F.R.§ 4.71a (Musculoskeletal system) · reviewed 2026-05-27 · ClaimRecon Editorial Team

Muscle Disuse Atrophy is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 5299 of 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5299 across 1 severity tier (0%). 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.

OVERVIEW

Measurable muscle wasting and weakness from prolonged immobilization, casting, or disuse following injury or surgery

RATING CRITERIA (1 LEVELS)

Per § 4.20 + § 4.14 (anti-pyramiding): rate the underlying muscle group under § 4.73 DC 5301-5329 (e.g., DC 5311 calf, DC 5314 quadriceps) and/or the denervation under § 4.124a peripheral nerve DCs. Disuse atrophy itself is a SIGN of the underlying impairment, not a separately ratable condition.

KEY EVIDENCE TO GATHER

-Service treatment records showing injury or complaints

-Imaging (X-ray, MRI, CT)

-Range of motion measurements

-Flare-up documentation per Sharp v. Shulkin

-Buddy statements describing limitations

-Prescription history

-Physical therapy records

-Employment impact documentation

C&P EXAM TIPS (6)

1.Do NOT stretch, warm up, or take pain medication before your exam. The VA needs your baseline limitation.

2.Report your WORST day. DeLuca v. Brown requires documentation of functional loss during flare-ups.

3.Tell the examiner about flare-ups: frequency, duration, estimated ROM loss. Sharp v. Shulkin (2017) requires estimates.

4.Request active, passive, weight-bearing, and non-weight-bearing ROM testing per Correia v. McDonald (2016).

5.If you use assistive devices (brace, cane), bring them.

6.Describe daily activity impact: work, sleep, household tasks.

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SOURCES & EDITORIAL

Rating criteria text quoted verbatim from 38 C.F.R. § 4.71a (Musculoskeletal system). Source verified 2026-05-27 by ClaimRecon Editorial Team during a regulation-text comparison against the Cornell Law CFR mirror; eCFR.gov is the authoritative government source.

→ View § 4.71a on eCFR → Cornell Law mirror → Editorial Standards → Suggest a correction

EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. NOT LEGAL OR MEDICAL ADVICE.
NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
CLAIM RECON 2026

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