YOUR CONDITION, EXPLAINED
Muscle Group XX - Spinal muscles VA disability rating & claim guide
The VA rates Muscle Group XX - Spinal muscles under diagnostic code 5320, in 38 CFR § 4.73 (muscle injuries), and the schedule provides five evaluation levels for it: 60%, 40%, 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 XX - Spinal muscles
Injury to the sacrospinalis — the long erector-spinae muscle column running either side of the spine that holds the back upright.
Under 38 CFR 4.73, DC 5320 rates injury of Muscle Group XX: the spinal muscles, which the schedule identifies as the sacrospinalis — the erector spinae and its prolongations into the thoracic and cervical regions. Their stated function is postural support of the body and extension and lateral movement of the spine. The code is printed as two sub-tables by region, and the region injured decides the evaluation. In the cervical and thoracic region the scale is severe 40 percent, moderately severe 20 percent, moderate 10 percent and slight 0 percent. In the lumbar region it is severe 60 percent, moderately severe 40 percent, moderate 20 percent and slight 0 percent — there is no 10 percent step in the lumbar sub-table, and 60 percent is available only for a severe lumbar injury. This is a muscle-injury code; a rating for limitation of motion or degenerative change of the spine itself comes from the General Rating Formula in § 4.71a instead.
- Diagnostic code
- 5320
- Rating schedule
- 38 CFR § 4.73
- Schedule levels
- 60%, 40%, 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 XX - Spinal muscles VA rating criteria (DC 5320)
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 XX - Spinal muscles 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 XX - Spinal muscles?
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 XX - Spinal muscles 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
Submit detailed strength and range-of-motion evaluations, since objective muscle testing is what distinguishes this rating from a general back pain claim.
- 02
Use consistent symptom logs over time, since a documented pattern strengthens the connection between the muscle injury and your reported limitations.
C&P exam pitfalls to keep in mind2 tips
- 01
Lack of objective strength measurements, leaving the severity assessment without the specific testing this rating depends on.
- 02
Missing imaging that would otherwise confirm the muscle injury.
Common filing mistakes2 tips
- 01
A vague pain description that doesn't specifically identify the spinal muscle group involved.
- 02
No proof of functional limitation to support the claimed severity.
When symptoms may first appear1 tips
- 01
Spinal muscle injuries commonly follow a specific trauma during service, or develop gradually from repetitive use and strain over time.
THE BROADER PICTURE
Muscle Group XX - Spinal muscles by the numbers
- Approval outlook
- Moderate
- Veterans service-connected
- ~6,700 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.
LET’S CLEAR A FEW THINGS UP
Common questions about Muscle Group XX - Spinal muscles
Is Muscle Group XX - Spinal muscles a VA-rated disability?
Yes. The VA rates Muscle Group XX - Spinal muscles under VASRD diagnostic code 5320 (Muscle Injuries). Injury to the sacrospinalis — the long erector-spinae muscle column running either side of the spine that holds the back upright.
What VA disability rating can I get for Muscle Group XX - Spinal muscles?
Possible VA ratings for Muscle Group XX - Spinal muscles are 60%, 40%, 20%, 10%, 0%. Examples: 60%: Severe injury of Muscle Group XX in the lumbar region. The cervical and thoracic sub-table does not reach 60 percent; 40%: Severe injury of Muscle Group XX in the cervical or thoracic region; or moderately severe injury in the lumbar region; 20%: Moderately severe injury of Muscle Group XX in the cervical or thoracic region; or moderate injury in the lumbar region.
What's the typical VA rating awarded for Muscle Group XX - Spinal muscles?
Vetrify estimates the typical rating awarded for Muscle Group XX - Spinal muscles at around 20%, based on VA claims data and the rating schedule. An estimated 6,700 veterans are service-connected for Muscle Group XX - Spinal muscles. Estimated approval outlook: Moderate.
What evidence helps prove Muscle Group XX - Spinal muscles for VA disability?
Strong evidence for a Muscle Group XX - Spinal muscles claim includes: An MRI of the spinal region showing muscle involvement; Orthopedic reports documenting the injury and its severity; Physical therapy records tracking strength and function over time.
Which DBQ is used for Muscle Group XX - Spinal muscles?
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 XX - Spinal muscles?
Common pitfalls when filing for Muscle Group XX - Spinal muscles: A vague pain description that doesn't specifically identify the spinal muscle group involved; No proof of functional limitation to support the claimed severity.
Official sources
- 38 CFR § 4.73, Schedule of ratings, muscle injuries (Diagnostic Code 5320)
- 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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