VASRD 5322 · Musculoskeletal System

Muscle Group XXII - Muscles of front of neck VA Disability Rating

Damage to neck muscles resulting in stiffness and pain.

VA Rating Tiers

RatingCriteria
10%Slight limitation in head or neck movement
20%Moderate difficulty turning or flexing neck
30%Severe movement limitation with chronic neck pain

How the VA Evaluates Muscle Group XXII - Muscles of front of neck

Neck ROM, muscle tenderness, strength grading.

Approval rate

Moderate

Annual service-connected

2,400 veterans

Average rating

20%

Best Evidence to Gather

  • •Neck ROM chart
  • •MRI/CT of cervical spine
  • •Ortho/PT evaluations

Strategy Tips

  • •Submit daily mobility logs
  • •Use goniometer measurements

C&P Exam Pitfalls

  • •No ROM data
  • •No diagnosis of associated strain

Common Filing Mistakes

  • •Only claiming generic pain
  • •Lack of ROM documentation

Onset Patterns

  • •Sudden injury
  • •Repetitive strain

Secondary Conditions

Conditions commonly linked to Muscle Group XXII - Muscles of front of neck. Service-connecting a secondary condition can increase your combined rating.

Common questions about Muscle Group XXII - Muscles of front of neck

Is Muscle Group XXII - Muscles of front of neck a VA-rated disability?
Yes. The VA rates Muscle Group XXII - Muscles of front of neck under VASRD diagnostic code 5322 (Musculoskeletal System). Damage to neck muscles resulting in stiffness and pain.
What VA disability rating can I get for Muscle Group XXII - Muscles of front of neck?
Possible VA ratings for Muscle Group XXII - Muscles of front of neck are 10%, 20%, 30%. Examples: 10% — Slight limitation in head or neck movement; 20% — Moderate difficulty turning or flexing neck; 30% — Severe movement limitation with chronic neck pain.
What's the typical VA rating awarded for Muscle Group XXII - Muscles of front of neck?
The average awarded rating for Muscle Group XXII - Muscles of front of neck is 20%. Roughly 2,400 veterans are service-connected for Muscle Group XXII - Muscles of front of neck each year. Typical approval likelihood: Moderate.
What evidence helps prove Muscle Group XXII - Muscles of front of neck for VA disability?
Strong evidence for a Muscle Group XXII - Muscles of front of neck claim includes: Neck ROM chart; MRI/CT of cervical spine; Ortho/PT evaluations.
What mistakes should veterans avoid when claiming Muscle Group XXII - Muscles of front of neck?
Common pitfalls when filing for Muscle Group XXII - Muscles of front of neck: Only claiming generic pain; Lack of ROM documentation.
What conditions are commonly secondary to Muscle Group XXII - Muscles of front of neck?
Conditions often service-connected as secondary to Muscle Group XXII - Muscles of front of neck include: , , . Filing for secondary conditions can increase a veteran's combined VA rating.

Estimate your combined rating

See how Muscle Group XXII - Muscles of front of neck combines with your other service-connected conditions using the official VA combined-ratings formula.

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