DC 5308Musculoskeletal System38 CFR § 4.73Last verified: APR 22, 2026

Muscle Group VIII Injury — VA Rating (DC 5308)

The VA rates Group VIII.Extension of wrist, fingers, and thumb; abduction of thumb.Extensors of carpus, fingers, and thumb; supinator Function: Muscles arising mainly from external condyle of humerus under Diagnostic Code 5308 across 4 severity levels, from 0% to 30%. The 30% maximum means additional ratings through secondary conditions or combined ratings are critical for higher compensation.

Also available: View rating schedule for DC 5308

Rating schedule — DC 5308 at a glance

Minimum rating
0%

Lowest schedular rating available

Maximum rating
30%

TDIU may raise effective compensation to 100%

Rating tiers
4

0%, 10%, 20%, 30%

CFR section
§ 4.73

Part 4 rating schedule

Body system
Musculoskeletal System
Secondary conditions
0

None mapped

This diagnostic code covers a muscle group or general rating formula rather than a specific medical condition. The rating criteria below apply when the VA evaluates injuries to this muscle group.

What are the VA rating criteria for Group VIII.Extension of wrist, fingers, and thumb; abduction of thumb.Extensors of carpus, fingers, and thumb; supinator Function: Muscles arising mainly from external condyle of humerus?

RatingCriteria
0%

Slight; 0

10%

Moderate; 10

20%

Severe; 30

30%

Severe; 20

Severe; 30

Common Questions About Group VIII.Extension of wrist, fingers, and thumb; abduction of thumb.Extensors of carpus, fingers, and thumb; supinator Function: Muscles arising mainly from external condyle of humerus VA Ratings

What is the VA rating range for Group VIII.Extension of wrist, fingers, and thumb; abduction of thumb.Extensors of carpus, fingers, and thumb; supinator Function: Muscles arising mainly from external condyle of humerus?

The VA rates Group VIII.Extension of wrist, fingers, and thumb; abduction of thumb.Extensors of carpus, fingers, and thumb; supinator Function: Muscles arising mainly from external condyle of humerus under Diagnostic Code 5308 at 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%. The minimum 0% rating requires: Slight; 0. The maximum 30% rating requires: Severe; 20.

Which 38 CFR diagnostic code does the VA use for Group VIII.Extension of wrist, fingers, and thumb; abduction of thumb.Extensors of carpus, fingers, and thumb; supinator Function: Muscles arising mainly from external condyle of humerus?

The VA rates Group VIII.Extension of wrist, fingers, and thumb; abduction of thumb.Extensors of carpus, fingers, and thumb; supinator Function: Muscles arising mainly from external condyle of humerus under Diagnostic Code (DC) 5308, governed by 38 CFR 38 CFR § 4.73. The diagnostic code establishes the specific rating tiers and severity criteria the VA examiner applies.

What is the difference between a 0% and a 30% rating for Group VIII.Extension of wrist, fingers, and thumb; abduction of thumb.Extensors of carpus, fingers, and thumb; supinator Function: Muscles arising mainly from external condyle of humerus?

A 0% rating requires: Slight; 0. A 30% rating requires: Severe; 20. The difference typically reflects the frequency, severity, or functional impact of the condition as documented in medical records and C&P examination findings.

Can Group VIII.Extension of wrist, fingers, and thumb; abduction of thumb.Extensors of carpus, fingers, and thumb; supinator Function: Muscles arising mainly from external condyle of humerus qualify for TDIU?

Group VIII.Extension of wrist, fingers, and thumb; abduction of thumb.Extensors of carpus, fingers, and thumb; supinator Function: Muscles arising mainly from external condyle of humerus maxes at 30%, well below the single-disability TDIU threshold. However, combined with other service-connected disabilities, TDIU may be achievable under 38 CFR § 4.16. Focus on establishing secondary conditions to increase the combined rating.

What evidence supports a higher rating for Group VIII.Extension of wrist, fingers, and thumb; abduction of thumb.Extensors of carpus, fingers, and thumb; supinator Function: Muscles arising mainly from external condyle of humerus?

The key evidence for Group VIII.Extension of wrist, fingers, and thumb; abduction of thumb.Extensors of carpus, fingers, and thumb; supinator Function: Muscles arising mainly from external condyle of humerus is documentation of how the condition affects daily functioning. For musculoskeletal conditions, range of motion measurements (active, passive, weight-bearing, and non-weight-bearing per Correia v. McDonald) and flare-up documentation are critical. A nexus letter from a qualified medical professional linking the current severity to service is essential for contested claims.

What happens at the C&P exam for Group VIII.Extension of wrist, fingers, and thumb; abduction of thumb.Extensors of carpus, fingers, and thumb; supinator Function: Muscles arising mainly from external condyle of humerus?

The C&P examiner uses a Musculoskeletal System DBQ and evaluates your condition against the DC 5308 rating criteria. Expect range of motion testing in multiple positions. Under Correia v. McDonald, the examiner must test active, passive, weight-bearing, and non-weight-bearing range of motion. Report your worst flare-up symptoms — if you cannot attend during a flare, request the exam be rescheduled.

Get a Personalized Rating Analysis

VeteranHQ evaluates your symptoms against the exact 38 CFR criteria, identifies secondary conditions, and shows what evidence you need to support a higher rating.

Discover Your Benefits