VASRD 5306 · Musculoskeletal
Muscle Group VI (Elbow Extensors) VA Disability Rating
Injury to the muscles that straighten the elbow — the triceps and the anconeus.
VA Rating Tiers
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 40% | Severe damage to the triceps 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 triceps 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 VI (Elbow Extensors)
Under 38 CFR 4.73, DC 5306 rates injury of Muscle Group VI: the extensor muscles of the elbow, which the schedule lists as the triceps and the anconeus, and notes that the long head of the triceps is also a stabilizer of the shoulder joint. Their stated function is extension of the elbow. The code grades the injury as slight, moderate, moderately severe or severe, in two columns for the dominant (major) and non-dominant (minor) extremity. 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.
Approval outlook
Moderate (~55%) if muscle damage documented.
Veterans service-connected
~1,200 veterans
Typical rating awarded
~10%
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 specialist's report documenting the muscle injury.
- •Functional use testing assessing strength and coordination.
Strategy Tips
- •Use consistent strength data collected over time, since a documented pattern is more persuasive than a single measurement.
- •Show the impact on lifting and pushing tasks specifically, since these movements depend directly on elbow extensor strength.
C&P Exam Pitfalls
- •Reported symptoms without documented muscle injury to explain them.
- •No range-of-motion or strength data included.
Common Filing Mistakes
- •Claiming general arm pain instead of documenting this specific muscle group's involvement.
- •Failing to show an actual loss of function.
Onset Patterns
- •This condition can result from an injury, repetitive use, or a complication following surgery on the elbow or upper arm.
Secondary Conditions
Conditions commonly linked to Muscle Group VI (Elbow Extensors). Service-connecting a secondary condition can increase your combined rating.
Common Among These Military Jobs
Military occupational specialties (MOS) where Muscle Group VI (Elbow Extensors) is frequently claimed.
Common questions about Muscle Group VI (Elbow Extensors)
- Is Muscle Group VI (Elbow Extensors) a VA-rated disability?
- Yes. The VA rates Muscle Group VI (Elbow Extensors) under VASRD diagnostic code 5306 (Musculoskeletal). Injury to the muscles that straighten the elbow — the triceps and the anconeus.
- What VA disability rating can I get for Muscle Group VI (Elbow Extensors)?
- Possible VA ratings for Muscle Group VI (Elbow Extensors) are 40%, 30%, 20%, 10%, 0%. Examples: 40%: Severe damage to the triceps 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 triceps of your non-dominant ar…
- What's the typical VA rating awarded for Muscle Group VI (Elbow Extensors)?
- Vetrify estimates the typical rating awarded for Muscle Group VI (Elbow Extensors) at around 10%, based on VA claims data and the rating schedule. An estimated 1,200 veterans are service-connected for Muscle Group VI (Elbow Extensors). Estimated approval outlook: Moderate (~55%) if muscle damage documented.
- What evidence helps prove Muscle Group VI (Elbow Extensors) for VA disability?
- Strong evidence for a Muscle Group VI (Elbow Extensors) claim includes: An orthopedic specialist's report documenting the muscle injury.; Functional use testing assessing strength and coordination..
- What mistakes should veterans avoid when claiming Muscle Group VI (Elbow Extensors)?
- Common pitfalls when filing for Muscle Group VI (Elbow Extensors): Claiming general arm pain instead of documenting this specific muscle group's involvement.; Failing to show an actual loss of function..
- What conditions are commonly secondary to Muscle Group VI (Elbow Extensors)?
- Conditions often service-connected as secondary to Muscle Group VI (Elbow Extensors) include: Tendonitis, Shoulder Pain. 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 5306)
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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