What happens during a C&P exam for Grip Strength Loss?

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.

← All Condition Guides

CLAIM RECON INTEL

Grip Strength Loss

Q: What are the VA rating percentages for Grip Strength Loss?

Grip Strength Loss (DC 5309) is rated at 10% under 38 CFR § 4.73, DC 5309. Per the Note to DC 5309: "Rate on limitation of motion, minimum 10 percent." DC 5309 does NOT carry a Slight/Moderate/Moderately Severe/Severe tier schedule like the other muscle groups; the rater uses the joint-specific limitation-of-motion DC (DC 5215 wrist, DC 5228-5230 single finger LOM, DC 5224-5227 single finger ankylosis, DC 5216-5223 multi-digit ankylosis) and assigns the HIGHER of (a) the LOM rating or (b) the 10% minimum. The 10% floor applies whenever DC 5309 muscle injury is established, even if the joint-specific LOM rating would otherwise be 0%.

Q: What rates 10% for Grip Strength Loss under 38 CFR § 4.73, DC 5309?

Under 38 CFR § 4.73, DC 5309 (DC 5309), a 10% rating for Grip Strength Loss requires: Per the Note to DC 5309: "Rate on limitation of motion, minimum 10 percent." DC 5309 does NOT carry a Slight/Moderate/Moderately Severe/Severe tier schedule like the other muscle groups; the rater uses the joint-specific limitation-of-motion DC (DC 5215 wrist, DC 5228-5230 single finger LOM, DC 5224-5227 single finger ankylosis, DC 5216-5223 multi-digit ankylosis) and assigns the HIGHER of (a) the LOM rating or (b) the 10% minimum. The 10% floor applies whenever DC 5309 muscle injury is established, even if the joint-specific LOM rating would otherwise be 0%.

Q: What evidence do I need for a Grip Strength Loss VA claim?

Key evidence for a Grip Strength Loss 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 5309 | 38 CFR § 4.73, DC 5309 | 

✓ VERIFIED AGAINST 38 C.F.R.§ 4.73 (Muscle injuries) · reviewed 2026-05-27 · ClaimRecon Editorial Team

Grip Strength Loss is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 5309 of 38 CFR § 4.73, DC 5309 across 1 severity tier (10%). 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

Significant loss of grip and pinch strength in the hand affecting ability to hold objects, open containers, and perform daily tasks

RATING CRITERIA (1 LEVELS)

10%

Per the Note to DC 5309: "Rate on limitation of motion, minimum 10 percent." DC 5309 does NOT carry a Slight/Moderate/Moderately Severe/Severe tier schedule like the other muscle groups; the rater uses the joint-specific limitation-of-motion DC (DC 5215 wrist, DC 5228-5230 single finger LOM, DC 5224-5227 single finger ankylosis, DC 5216-5223 multi-digit ankylosis) and assigns the HIGHER of (a) the LOM rating or (b) the 10% minimum. The 10% floor applies whenever DC 5309 muscle injury is established, even if the joint-specific LOM rating would otherwise be 0%.

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.

Secondary Conditions Explorer

736 secondaries mapped

Calculate Your Rating

VA math + dollar impact

RELATED TOOLS

Rating Calculator Secondaries Map C&P Exam Prep PACT Act Scanner 2026 Rates

SOURCES & EDITORIAL

Rating criteria text quoted verbatim from 38 C.F.R. § 4.73 (Muscle injuries). 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 § 4.73 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

LOADING