EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. Not legal or medical advice. Not affiliated with the VA.
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Muscle Injury Group XXIII (Lateral Trunk)
DC 5323 | 38 CFR § 4.73, DC 5323 |
Muscle Injury Group XXIII (Lateral Trunk) is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 5323 of 38 CFR § 4.73, DC 5323 across 4 severity tiers (0% / 10% / 20% / 30%). 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
Injury to lateral trunk muscles (quadratus lumborum, lateral obliques) controlling lateral trunk bending and postural stabilization
RATING CRITERIA (4 LEVELS)
0%
Slight disability of the muscle group with minimal scarring and no impairment of function.
10%
Moderate disability of the muscle group with loss of deep fascia or muscle substance, impairment of tone and endurance.
20%
Moderately severe disability with debridement, prolonged infection, or loss of deep fasciae or muscle substance, with diminished muscle excitability.
30%
Severe disability with ragged, depressed, and adherent scars; loss of deep fasciae or muscle substance; soft, flabby muscles; and severe impairment of function.
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.
SOURCES & EDITORIAL
Rating criteria reference 38 C.F.R. Part 4 (Schedule for Rating Disabilities). This entry has not yet undergone editorial review against the live regulation text — consult the authoritative source directly before relying on the criteria shown.
EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. NOT LEGAL OR MEDICAL ADVICE.
NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
CLAIM RECON 2026