YOUR CONDITION, EXPLAINED
Muscle Group XII - Anterior Leg Muscles (Dorsiflexion) VA disability rating & claim guide
The VA rates Muscle Group XII - Anterior Leg Muscles (Dorsiflexion) under diagnostic code 5312, in 38 CFR § 4.73 (muscle injuries), and the schedule provides four evaluation levels for it: 30%, 20%, 10% and 0%.
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A CLEARER PATH FORWARD
Make sense of your next step.
01Understand the rating02Know what to gather03Plan your preparationTHE ESSENTIALS
How the VA rates Muscle Group XII - Anterior Leg Muscles (Dorsiflexion)
Injury to the muscles on the front of the shin that lift the foot and toes — the group whose loss causes foot drop.
Under 38 CFR 4.73, DC 5312 rates injury of Muscle Group XII: the anterior muscles of the leg, which the schedule lists as the tibialis anterior, extensor digitorum longus, extensor hallucis longus and peroneus tertius. Their stated functions are dorsiflexion, extension of the toes and stabilization of the arch. The code grades the injury as severe (30 percent), moderately severe (20 percent), moderate (10 percent) or slight (0 percent), in a single column, so the evaluation does not change with which leg is injured. A muscle evaluation under this code is a separate question from a peripheral-nerve evaluation for the same foot drop; where both are claimed, which one applies turns on what the evidence shows was injured.
- Diagnostic code
- 5312
- Rating schedule
- 38 CFR § 4.73
- Schedule levels
- 30%, 20%, 10% and 0%
How does the VA choose a rating level?
Which level applies is set by the criteria the evidence meets, not by the diagnosis. Where there is a question as to which of two evaluations applies, 38 CFR § 4.7 assigns the higher one if the disability picture more nearly approximates the criteria required for that rating.
EXPLORE THE PERCENTAGES
Muscle Group XII - Anterior Leg Muscles (Dorsiflexion) VA rating criteria (DC 5312)
Choose a percentage to see what that level means. Open the full comparison to read all the criteria in one place.
These are published rating criteria. Selecting a level does not predict your VA decision.
BUILD YOUR EVIDENCE, ONE PIECE AT A TIME
Evidence for your Muscle Group XII - Anterior Leg Muscles (Dorsiflexion) claim
A long list feels easier when you have a place to start. Use this checklist to see what you have and what still needs gathering.
Check off what you’ve gathered. Progress stays on this page until you leave or refresh.
THE EXAM FORM
Which DBQ is used for Muscle Group XII - Anterior Leg Muscles (Dorsiflexion)?
VA's page says: “You can use these forms to submit medical evidence from your health care providers.”
Source: VA: Public Disability Benefits Questionnaires (DBQs), read September 18, 2026.
SMALL DETAILS. BETTER PREPARATION.
Preparing your Muscle Group XII - Anterior Leg Muscles (Dorsiflexion) claim
Start with the practical tips, then explore the common oversights. You don’t need to work through everything at once.
Practical tips for your claim2 tips
- 01
Document changes in your ability to walk or lift your toes specifically, since dorsiflexion function is the key marker this rating is built around.
- 02
Include EMG or physical therapy notes, since these help distinguish a muscle injury from, or alongside, related nerve involvement.
C&P exam pitfalls to keep in mind2 tips
- 01
No strength score included in the exam findings.
- 02
Missing functional testing that would otherwise establish the severity.
Common filing mistakes2 tips
- 01
No proof of impairment beyond a subjective complaint.
- 02
Claiming the condition without orthopedic confirmation.
When symptoms may first appear1 tips
- 01
This condition often occurs after ankle sprains or other trauma to the lower leg.
THE BROADER PICTURE
Muscle Group XII - Anterior Leg Muscles (Dorsiflexion) by the numbers
- Approval outlook
- Moderate with documentation.
- Veterans service-connected
- ~1,800 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.
LET’S CLEAR A FEW THINGS UP
Common questions about Muscle Group XII - Anterior Leg Muscles (Dorsiflexion)
Is Muscle Group XII - Anterior Leg Muscles (Dorsiflexion) a VA-rated disability?
Yes. The VA rates Muscle Group XII - Anterior Leg Muscles (Dorsiflexion) under VASRD diagnostic code 5312 (Muscle Injuries). Injury to the muscles on the front of the shin that lift the foot and toes — the group whose loss causes foot drop.
What VA disability rating can I get for Muscle Group XII - Anterior Leg Muscles (Dorsiflexion)?
Possible VA ratings for Muscle Group XII - Anterior Leg Muscles (Dorsiflexion) are 30%, 20%, 10%, 0%. Examples: 30%: Severe injury of Muscle Group XII; 20%: Moderately severe injury of Muscle Group XII; 10%: Moderate injury of Muscle Group XII.
What's the typical VA rating awarded for Muscle Group XII - Anterior Leg Muscles (Dorsiflexion)?
Vetrify estimates the typical rating awarded for Muscle Group XII - Anterior Leg Muscles (Dorsiflexion) at around 10%, based on VA claims data and the rating schedule. An estimated 1,800 veterans are service-connected for Muscle Group XII - Anterior Leg Muscles (Dorsiflexion). Estimated approval outlook: Moderate with documentation.
What evidence helps prove Muscle Group XII - Anterior Leg Muscles (Dorsiflexion) for VA disability?
Strong evidence for a Muscle Group XII - Anterior Leg Muscles (Dorsiflexion) claim includes: Electromyography (EMG) test results; Orthopedic exams documenting strength and function.
Which DBQ is used for Muscle Group XII - Anterior Leg Muscles (Dorsiflexion)?
VA's Muscle Injuries Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ) is on its public list of DBQs. VA's page says: "You can use these forms to submit medical evidence from your health care providers."
What mistakes should veterans avoid when claiming Muscle Group XII - Anterior Leg Muscles (Dorsiflexion)?
Common pitfalls when filing for Muscle Group XII - Anterior Leg Muscles (Dorsiflexion): No proof of impairment beyond a subjective complaint; Claiming the condition without orthopedic confirmation.
Official sources
- 38 CFR § 4.73, Schedule of ratings, muscle injuries (Diagnostic Code 5312)
- 38 CFR § 4.7, higher of two evaluations
Criteria in quotation marks are the regulation’s own words; everything else on this page is Vetrify’s summary of it. The eCFR text is authoritative. See how Vetrify derives its numbers.
How these figures are checked: our methodology and the open dataset.
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