VASRD 5326 · Musculoskeletal System
Muscle Hernia VA Disability Rating
A muscle hernia is a bulge of muscle tissue pushing through a tear or weak spot in the fascia that sheathes the muscle, usually visible or palpable at the site and most often following a specific strain, trauma or surgery.
VA Rating Tiers
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 10% | An extensive hernia, with the muscle otherwise uninjured |
| 0% | Service-connected, but not meeting the 10 percent criteria |
How the VA Evaluates Muscle Hernia
DC 5326 is a single-level code. Its entire entry in § 4.73 reads "Muscle hernia, extensive. Without other injury to the muscle — 10", so 10 percent is the only evaluation the schedule provides, and it turns on two things: that the hernia is extensive, and that the muscle is otherwise uninjured. Pain is not a criterion. Where there is other injury to the muscle, the claim is evaluated on that injury instead, under the muscle-group codes DC 5301-5323 — and only those codes use the slight / moderate / moderately severe / severe framework of 38 CFR 4.56, which is why no graduated muscle-hernia ladder exists (§ 4.73, Note (2)). A muscle injury evaluation "will not be combined with a peripheral nerve paralysis rating of the same body part, unless the injuries affect entirely different functions" (38 CFR 4.55(a)).
Approval outlook
Low (~25%) unless well-documented
Veterans service-connected
~3,800 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.
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Best Evidence to Gather
- •Imaging (ultrasound or MRI) confirming the herniation.
- •An orthopedic or surgical consult evaluating the hernia's severity.
- •Medical records documenting the original injury.
- •MRI imaging confirming the herniation.
- •Ultrasound imaging, useful for capturing the hernia during muscle contraction.
- •An orthopedic consult evaluating severity.
Strategy Tips
- •Have the hernia described as extensive, in those terms, and its size and extent recorded. "Extensive" is one of only two criteria in the code.
- •Use dynamic imaging taken during muscle contraction or exertion when possible, since a muscle hernia can be far less visible at rest.
- •If the same muscle carries another injury, claim that injury under its muscle-group code (DC 5301-5323) — DC 5326 applies only where the muscle is otherwise uninjured, and the muscle-group codes reach well above 10 percent.
C&P Exam Pitfalls
- •The condition being misclassified as a general soft-tissue strain rather than a documented muscle hernia.
- •No hernia visible during the specific exam, even if it's intermittently present.
- •The condition being overlooked if it's not actively bulging during the specific exam.
- •Not differentiating the hernia from a general soft-tissue mass.
Common Filing Mistakes
- •Building the claim around pain or weakness, which DC 5326 does not make a criterion.
- •A vague injury history that does not establish when and how the hernia occurred.
- •No imaging confirmation to support the diagnosis.
Onset Patterns
- •Muscle hernias typically follow trauma, heavy lifting, or a surgical procedure that weakened the surrounding fascia.
- •Muscle hernias under this code are typically post-exertional or trauma-related, developing after a specific strain or injury weakened the surrounding fascia.
Secondary Conditions
Conditions commonly linked to Muscle Hernia. Service-connecting a secondary condition can increase your combined rating.
Mobility Impairment
Weak muscle region
Chronic Pain
Irritation of tissues around hernia
Mobility limitations
Soft tissue injuries
Common Among These Military Jobs
Military occupational specialties (MOS) where Muscle Hernia is frequently claimed.
Common questions about Muscle Hernia
- Is Muscle Hernia a VA-rated disability?
- Yes. The VA rates Muscle Hernia under VASRD diagnostic code 5326 (Musculoskeletal System). A muscle hernia is a bulge of muscle tissue pushing through a tear or weak spot in the fascia that sheathes the muscle, usually visible or palpable at the site and most often following a specific strain, trauma or surgery.
- What VA disability rating can I get for Muscle Hernia?
- Possible VA ratings for Muscle Hernia are 10%, 0%. Examples: 10%: An extensive hernia, with the muscle otherwise uninjured; 0%: Service-connected, but not meeting the 10 percent criteria.
- What's the typical VA rating awarded for Muscle Hernia?
- Vetrify estimates the typical rating awarded for Muscle Hernia at around 10%, based on VA claims data and the rating schedule. An estimated 3,800 veterans are service-connected for Muscle Hernia. Estimated approval outlook: Low (~25%) unless well-documented.
- What evidence helps prove Muscle Hernia for VA disability?
- Strong evidence for a Muscle Hernia claim includes: Imaging (ultrasound or MRI) confirming the herniation.; An orthopedic or surgical consult evaluating the hernia's severity.; Medical records documenting the original injury.; MRI imaging confirming the herniation..
- What mistakes should veterans avoid when claiming Muscle Hernia?
- Common pitfalls when filing for Muscle Hernia: Building the claim around pain or weakness, which DC 5326 does not make a criterion.; A vague injury history that does not establish when and how the hernia occurred.; No imaging confirmation to support the diagnosis..
- What conditions are commonly secondary to Muscle Hernia?
- Conditions often service-connected as secondary to Muscle Hernia include: Mobility Impairment, Chronic Pain, Mobility limitations. 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 5326)
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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