Diagnostic Code 5322 · 38 CFR §4.73
Muscle Group XXII includes the muscles of the front and lateral neck responsible for head rotation, tilting, and neck flexion. These include the sternocleidomastoid, hyoid muscles, and other anterior neck muscles. These muscles turn your head side to side, tilt it forward, and assist with swallowing and speech. Damage from penetrating wounds to the neck, blast injuries, or severe cervical trauma can impair head movement, swallowing, and voice production.
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 0% | |
| 10% | |
| 20% | |
| 30% |
Service records documenting the neck muscle injury, Treatment and surgical records for the neck wound, Cervical range of motion measurements, Assessment of swallowing function if affected, Statements about difficulty with head turning, swallowing, or speaking