Muscle Group XXIII Injury — VA Rating (DC 5323)
The VA rates Group XXIII.Movements of the head; fixation of shoulder movements.Suboccipital; lateral vertebral and anterior vertebral muscles Function: Muscles of the side and back of the neck under Diagnostic Code 5323 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.
Rating schedule — DC 5323 at a glance
- Minimum rating
- 0%
- Maximum rating
- 30%
- Rating tiers
- 4
- CFR section
- § 4.73
- Body system
- Musculoskeletal System
- Secondary conditions
- 0
Lowest schedular rating available
TDIU may raise effective compensation to 100%
0%, 10%, 20%, 30%
Part 4 rating schedule
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 XXIII.Movements of the head; fixation of shoulder movements.Suboccipital; lateral vertebral and anterior vertebral muscles Function: Muscles of the side and back of the neck?
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 0% | Slight |
| 10% | Moderate |
| 20% | Moderately Severe |
| 30% | Severe |
“Moderately Severe”
Common Questions About Group XXIII.Movements of the head; fixation of shoulder movements.Suboccipital; lateral vertebral and anterior vertebral muscles Function: Muscles of the side and back of the neck VA Ratings
What is the VA rating range for Group XXIII.Movements of the head; fixation of shoulder movements.Suboccipital; lateral vertebral and anterior vertebral muscles Function: Muscles of the side and back of the neck?
The VA rates Group XXIII.Movements of the head; fixation of shoulder movements.Suboccipital; lateral vertebral and anterior vertebral muscles Function: Muscles of the side and back of the neck under Diagnostic Code 5323 at 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%. The minimum 0% rating requires: Slight. The maximum 30% rating requires: Severe.
Which 38 CFR diagnostic code does the VA use for Group XXIII.Movements of the head; fixation of shoulder movements.Suboccipital; lateral vertebral and anterior vertebral muscles Function: Muscles of the side and back of the neck?
The VA rates Group XXIII.Movements of the head; fixation of shoulder movements.Suboccipital; lateral vertebral and anterior vertebral muscles Function: Muscles of the side and back of the neck under Diagnostic Code (DC) 5323, 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 XXIII.Movements of the head; fixation of shoulder movements.Suboccipital; lateral vertebral and anterior vertebral muscles Function: Muscles of the side and back of the neck?
A 0% rating requires: Slight. A 30% rating requires: Severe. 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 XXIII.Movements of the head; fixation of shoulder movements.Suboccipital; lateral vertebral and anterior vertebral muscles Function: Muscles of the side and back of the neck qualify for TDIU?
Group XXIII.Movements of the head; fixation of shoulder movements.Suboccipital; lateral vertebral and anterior vertebral muscles Function: Muscles of the side and back of the neck 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 XXIII.Movements of the head; fixation of shoulder movements.Suboccipital; lateral vertebral and anterior vertebral muscles Function: Muscles of the side and back of the neck?
The key evidence for Group XXIII.Movements of the head; fixation of shoulder movements.Suboccipital; lateral vertebral and anterior vertebral muscles Function: Muscles of the side and back of the neck 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 XXIII.Movements of the head; fixation of shoulder movements.Suboccipital; lateral vertebral and anterior vertebral muscles Function: Muscles of the side and back of the neck?
The C&P examiner uses a Musculoskeletal System DBQ and evaluates your condition against the DC 5323 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.
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