Diagnostic Code 5303 · 38 CFR §4.73
Muscle Group III contains the intrinsic muscles of the shoulder girdle that elevate and abduct the arm to shoulder level. This includes the pectoralis major (sternal portion) and the deltoid muscle. These muscles power the fundamental movement of raising your arm out to the side and forward, which is essential for countless daily activities from reaching for objects to dressing yourself. Combat wounds, training injuries, and shoulder trauma during military service can damage these muscles.
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 0% | |
| 10% | |
| 20% | |
| 30% |
Service records documenting the original muscle injury, Records of surgical intervention or prolonged treatment, Current strength testing for arm elevation and abduction, Documentation of muscle wasting, scarring, or tissue loss, Statements describing difficulty raising the arm and performing overhead tasks