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VA BENEFITS REFERENCE

DC 5303: Group III. Function: Elevation And Abduction Of Arm To Level Of Shoulder; Act With 1 And 2 Of Group II In Forward And Backward Swing Of Arm. Intrinsic Muscles Of Shoulder Girdle: (1) Pectoralis Major I (Clavicular); (2) Deltoid

Read VA diagnostic code 5303 for Group III. Function: Elevation and abduction of arm to level of shoulder; act with 1 and 2 of Group II in forward and backward swing of arm. Intrinsic muscles of shoulder girdle: (1) Pectoralis major I (clavicular); (2) deltoid: 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 5303: Group III. Function: Elevation And Abduction Of Arm To Level Of Shoulder; Act With 1 And 2 Of Group II In Forward And Backward Swing Of Arm. Intrinsic Muscles Of Shoulder Girdle: (1) Pectoralis Major I (Clavicular); (2) Deltoid

Diagnostic code 5303 addresses Group III. Function: Elevation and abduction of arm to level of shoulder; act with 1 and 2 of Group II in forward and backward swing of arm. Intrinsic muscles of shoulder girdle: (1) Pectoralis major I (clavicular); (2) deltoid. 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 5303 - 38 CFR 4.73
Rating
DominantNondominant
5303 Group III. Function: Elevation and abduction of arm to level of shoulder; act with 1 and 2 of Group II in forward and backward swing of arm. Intrinsic muscles of shoulder girdle: (1) Pectoralis major I (clavicular); (2) deltoid
Severe4030
Moderately Severe3020
Moderate2020
Slight00

What The Criteria Measure

  • Does the decision identify diagnostic code 5303, 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.

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