Body system: Muscle InjuriesRegulation: 38 CFR § 4.73DBQ: DBQ MUSC Muscle Injuries
DC 5311 covers Muscle Group XI, the posterior and lateral crural muscles of the calf and outer lower leg (the triceps surae, tibialis posterior, peroneals and the long toe flexors), which point the foot down, turn it in and out, and flex the toes. A muscle injury here is rated 0% slight, 10% moderate, 20% moderately severe and 30% severe (38 CFR 4.73). The shin muscles are Group XII.
Rating levels
- 30% — This covers severe damage to the muscles in your calf and lower leg that help you push off when walking, keep your foot arch stable, bend your toes, and bend your knee. The affected muscles include your calf muscles (gastrocnemius and soleus), the muscles that support your arch and help you walk on uneven ground (tibialis posterior and peroneus muscles), and muscles that bend your toes and assist with knee movement. Severe damage means these muscles have significant weakness or paralysis that substantially limits your ability to walk normally, push off with your foot, or maintain proper foot positioning.
- 20% — This applies to moderately severe injuries to the muscles in your calf and back of your lower leg that control pushing off with your foot when walking, keeping your foot arch stable, bending your toes downward, and bending your knee. You would have significant weakness or partial loss of function in these muscles, making it noticeably harder to walk normally, push off when stepping, maintain balance, or control your foot and toe movements, but you haven't completely lost all muscle function.
- 10% — You have moderate damage or weakness in the muscles of your calf and back of your lower leg that control pushing off when you walk, keeping your foot arch stable, bending your toes, and bending your knee. This includes muscles like your calf muscles (gastrocnemius and soleus), the muscle that supports your arch (tibialis posterior), and muscles that help flex your toes and stabilize your foot during movement. The damage is noticeable and affects your ability to walk normally, push off effectively when stepping, or maintain proper foot and ankle stability, but it's not severe enough to cause complete loss of function.
- 0% — You have slight damage to the muscles in your calf and lower leg that control pushing off when you walk, keeping your foot arch stable, bending your toes, and bending your knee. The injury causes minor weakness or stiffness in these muscles, but you can still perform most daily activities and walking without significant problems. Your symptoms might include mild pain, occasional cramping, or slight difficulty with activities like going up on your toes or walking on uneven surfaces.