What are the VA rating percentages for Muscle Group IX Injury (Intrinsic Hand Muscles)?

Muscle Group IX Injury (Intrinsic Hand Muscles) (DC 5309) is rated at 10% under 38 CFR § 4.73, DC 5309. Rate on limitation of motion, minimum 10 percent

What rates 10% for Muscle Group IX Injury (Intrinsic Hand Muscles) under 38 CFR § 4.73, DC 5309?

Under 38 CFR § 4.73, DC 5309 (DC 5309), a 10% rating for Muscle Group IX Injury (Intrinsic Hand Muscles) requires: Rate on limitation of motion, minimum 10 percent

What happens during a C&P exam for Muscle Group IX Injury (Intrinsic Hand Muscles)?

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.

← All Condition Guides

CLAIM RECON INTEL

Muscle Group IX Injury (Intrinsic Hand Muscles)

Q: What evidence do I need for a Muscle Group IX Injury (Intrinsic Hand Muscles) VA claim?

Key evidence for a Muscle Group IX Injury (Intrinsic Hand Muscles) 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 530938 C.F.R. § 4.73

Diagnostic Code

DC 5309

38 C.F.R. § 4.73

Rating Range

10–10%

1 severity tier

Source

Verified

38 C.F.R. § 4.73

Muscle Group IX Injury (Intrinsic Hand Muscles) 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.

Educational tool only. Not legal or medical advice. Not affiliated with the VA.

Overview

Injury to the intrinsic muscles of the hand (thenar and hypothenar eminences, lumbricals, interossei) used in delicate manipulative movements; rated on limitation of motion with a 10% minimum

Rating Criteria

10%

Rate on limitation of motion, minimum 10 percent

Key Evidence

—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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tools

Rating Calculator →Secondaries Explorer →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 2026-06-04 by ClaimRecon Editorial Team 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