Independent Guidance For Veterans & FamiliesNot Affiliated With The VA

VA BENEFITS REFERENCE

DC 5302: Group II. Function: Depression Of Arm From Vertical Overhead To Hanging At Side (1, 2); Downward Rotation Of Scapula (3, 4); 1 And 2 Act With Group III In Forward And Backward Swing Of Arm. Extrinsic Muscles Of Shoulder Girdle: (1) Pectoralis Major II (Costosternal); (2) Latissimus Dorsi And Teres Major (Teres Major, Although Technically An Intrinsic Muscle, Is Included With Latissimus Dorsi); (3) Pectoralis Minor; (4) Rhomboid

Read VA diagnostic code 5302 for Group II. Function: Depression of arm from vertical overhead to hanging at side (1, 2); downward rotation of scapula (3, 4); 1 and 2 act with Group III in forward and backward swing of arm. Extrinsic muscles of shoulder girdle: (1) Pectoralis major II (costosternal); (2) latissimus dorsi and teres major (teres major, although technically an intrinsic muscle, is included with latissimus dorsi); (3) pectoralis minor; (4) rhomboid: published criteria, regulatory notes, related codes and official sources checked October 25, 2026.

Independent Education · Official Sources · Last Verified October 25, 2026

Published criteria from 38 CFR 4.73, current through 2026-10-22. Historical decisions may require a different version. This reference does not diagnose a condition or determine an evaluation.

The Musculoskeletal System · All Diagnostic Codes

DC 5302: Group II. Function: Depression Of Arm From Vertical Overhead To Hanging At Side (1, 2); Downward Rotation Of Scapula (3, 4); 1 And 2 Act With Group III In Forward And Backward Swing Of Arm. Extrinsic Muscles Of Shoulder Girdle: (1) Pectoralis Major II (Costosternal); (2) Latissimus Dorsi And Teres Major (Teres Major, Although Technically An Intrinsic Muscle, Is Included With Latissimus Dorsi); (3) Pectoralis Minor; (4) Rhomboid

Diagnostic code 5302 addresses Group II. Function: Depression of arm from vertical overhead to hanging at side (1, 2); downward rotation of scapula (3, 4); 1 and 2 act with Group III in forward and backward swing of arm. Extrinsic muscles of shoulder girdle: (1) Pectoralis major II (costosternal); (2) latissimus dorsi and teres major (teres major, although technically an intrinsic muscle, is included with latissimus dorsi); (3) pectoralis minor; (4) rhomboid. Read its specific instructions together with any shared formula, notes and linked provisions. These criteria describe evaluation after the applicable entitlement requirements are met; this reference does not diagnose a condition or determine a claim.

Diagnostic Code 5302 - 38 CFR 4.73
Rating
DominantNondominant
5302 Group II. Function: Depression of arm from vertical overhead to hanging at side (1, 2); downward rotation of scapula (3, 4); 1 and 2 act with Group III in forward and backward swing of arm. Extrinsic muscles of shoulder girdle: (1) Pectoralis major II (costosternal); (2) latissimus dorsi and teres major (teres major, although technically an intrinsic muscle, is included with latissimus dorsi); (3) pectoralis minor; (4) rhomboid
Severe4030
Moderately Severe3020
Moderate2020
Slight00

What The Criteria Measure

  • Does the decision identify diagnostic code 5302, and does the medical record describe the condition named by this code?
  • Have the code-specific notes and cross-references been read before comparing any listed evaluation?

Related Public DBQs

Editorial subject matches, not official VA code-to-form assignments. Read the form scope and clinician instructions.

Shared Rules And Regulatory Context

Context provisions do not create an additional evaluation automatically assigned to every condition.

Related Guides

Official Sources

Last verified 2026-10-25. Source publication or legal effective dates are shown separately where available.

Check The Source. Get Accredited Help.

Use this resource to understand published information. VA and the official decision control individual benefits.