VASRD 5301 · Musculoskeletal System
Muscle Group I - Shoulder Girdle Muscles (Trapezius, Levator Scapulae) VA Disability Rating
Injury to the muscles that rotate the shoulder blade upward and raise the arm above shoulder level — the trapezius, levator scapulae and serratus magnus.
VA Rating Tiers
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 40% | Severe damage to the shoulder-girdle muscles of your dominant arm. |
| 30% | Severe damage on your non-dominant side, or moderately severe damage on your dominant side. |
| 20% | Moderately severe damage to the shoulder-girdle muscles of your non-dominant arm. |
| 10% | Moderate damage to these muscles — rated the same whichever arm is injured. |
| 0% | Slight damage — service-connected, but below the level the schedule pays for. |
How the VA Evaluates Muscle Group I - Shoulder Girdle Muscles (Trapezius, Levator Scapulae)
Under 38 CFR 4.73, DC 5301 rates injury of Muscle Group I: the extrinsic muscles of the shoulder girdle, which the schedule lists as the trapezius, the levator scapulae and the serratus magnus. Their stated function is upward rotation of the scapula and elevation of the arm above shoulder level. The code grades the injury on a four-step scale — slight, moderate, moderately severe and severe — and prints two columns, one for the dominant (major) upper extremity and one for the non-dominant (minor). Severe is 40 percent major and 30 percent minor. Moderately severe is 30 percent major and 20 percent minor. Moderate is 10 percent in both columns, and slight is 0 percent in both. Which arm is dominant therefore changes the evaluation at the two most serious steps, and the record should state it.
Approval outlook
Moderate
Veterans service-connected
~3,900 veterans
Typical rating awarded
~20%
Vetrify editorial estimates informed by VA published claims data (VBA Annual Benefits Report) and the VA rating schedule — not official VA statistics.
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Best Evidence to Gather
- •An orthopedic report documenting the muscle injury and its severity.
- •Physical therapy records tracking strength and function.
- •An MRI showing the extent of the muscle damage.
Strategy Tips
- •Use strength test logs tracking your shoulder over time, since objective muscle testing is what distinguishes this rating from a general shoulder pain claim.
- •Provide range-of-motion tracking alongside the strength data, since both dimensions factor into how the severity is graded.
C&P Exam Pitfalls
- •No range of motion documented during the exam.
- •Lack of muscle strength grading, which is central to how this rating is determined.
Common Filing Mistakes
- •No imaging included to confirm the muscle injury.
- •Vague complaints that don't specifically identify the shoulder girdle muscle group involved.
Onset Patterns
- •Shoulder girdle muscle injuries are often injury-related from a specific trauma, or degenerative, developing gradually from repetitive strain over time.
Secondary Conditions
Conditions commonly linked to Muscle Group I - Shoulder Girdle Muscles (Trapezius, Levator Scapulae). Service-connecting a secondary condition can increase your combined rating.
Shoulder dislocation
Neck strain
Reduced upper arm mobility
Common questions about Muscle Group I - Shoulder Girdle Muscles (Trapezius, Levator Scapulae)
- Is Muscle Group I - Shoulder Girdle Muscles (Trapezius, Levator Scapulae) a VA-rated disability?
- Yes. The VA rates Muscle Group I - Shoulder Girdle Muscles (Trapezius, Levator Scapulae) under VASRD diagnostic code 5301 (Musculoskeletal System). Injury to the muscles that rotate the shoulder blade upward and raise the arm above shoulder level — the trapezius, levator scapulae and serratus magnus.
- What VA disability rating can I get for Muscle Group I - Shoulder Girdle Muscles (Trapezius, Levator Scapulae)?
- Possible VA ratings for Muscle Group I - Shoulder Girdle Muscles (Trapezius, Levator Scapulae) are 40%, 30%, 20%, 10%, 0%. Examples: 40%: Severe damage to the shoulder-girdle muscles of your dominant arm.; 30%: Severe damage on your non-dominant side, or moderately severe damage on your dominant side.; 20%: Moderately…
- What's the typical VA rating awarded for Muscle Group I - Shoulder Girdle Muscles (Trapezius, Levator Scapulae)?
- Vetrify estimates the typical rating awarded for Muscle Group I - Shoulder Girdle Muscles (Trapezius, Levator Scapulae) at around 20%, based on VA claims data and the rating schedule. An estimated 3,900 veterans are service-connected for Muscle Group I - Shoulder Girdle Muscles (Trapezius, Levator Scapulae). Estimated…
- What evidence helps prove Muscle Group I - Shoulder Girdle Muscles (Trapezius, Levator Scapulae) for VA disability?
- Strong evidence for a Muscle Group I - Shoulder Girdle Muscles (Trapezius, Levator Scapulae) claim includes: An orthopedic report documenting the muscle injury and its severity.; Physical therapy records tracking strength and function.; An MRI showing the extent of the muscle damage..
- What mistakes should veterans avoid when claiming Muscle Group I - Shoulder Girdle Muscles (Trapezius, Levator Scapulae)?
- Common pitfalls when filing for Muscle Group I - Shoulder Girdle Muscles (Trapezius, Levator Scapulae): No imaging included to confirm the muscle injury.; Vague complaints that don't specifically identify the shoulder girdle muscle group involved..
- What conditions are commonly secondary to Muscle Group I - Shoulder Girdle Muscles (Trapezius, Levator Scapulae)?
- Conditions often service-connected as secondary to Muscle Group I - Shoulder Girdle Muscles (Trapezius, Levator Scapulae) include: Shoulder dislocation, Neck strain, Reduced upper arm mobility. Filing for secondary conditions can increase a veteran's combined VA rating.
Official sources
- 38 CFR § 4.73 — Schedule of ratings — muscle injuries (Diagnostic Code 5301)
Rating criteria on this page are an educational summary of the cited regulation — the eCFR text is authoritative. See how Vetrify derives its numbers.
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