C&P Exam for Group XIX. Function: Support and compression of abdominal wall and lower thorax; flexion and lateral motions of spine; synergists in strong downward movements of arm. Muscles of the abdominal wall: Rectus abdominis; external oblique; internal oblique; transversalis; quadratus lumborum (DC 5319)
Read the C&P exam preparation guideWhat happens at the exam, what 38 CFR Part 4 requires the examiner to record, and what to bring.
Which form the examiner uses
For group xix. function: support and compression of abdominal wall and lower thorax; flexion and lateral motions of spine; synergists in strong downward movements of arm. muscles of the abdominal wall: rectus abdominis; external oblique; internal oblique; transversalis; quadratus lumborum (DC 5319), the C&P examiner completes the following Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ):
- DBQ MUSC Muscle Injuries (examiner-only DBQ. Link opens VA Find-A-Form search)
DBQs are Department of Veterans Affairs Form 21-0960 series documents. Public DBQs are hosted on benefits.va.gov. A handful are examiner-only and are not posted publicly.
What the examiner records
The fields below are reproduced from the DBQ form the examiner completes for this diagnostic code. This is the structural map of the form, showing what the examiner is asked to measure, observe, and record. It is a factual reproduction of the public DBQ, not advice on how to answer.
This DBQ evaluates muscle injuries including penetrating injuries (gunshot/shell fragment wounds), muscle group impairment, and functional impact.
How DC 5319 maps to this DBQ: for this diagnostic code specifically, the examiner typically completes sections I, III, V, and VIII-XI of this form. Section III is the condition-specific section for this code. Sections II, IV, and VI-VII cover unrelated conditions on this DBQ and are skipped.
7 of 11 sections apply to DC 5319 on this DBQ
DIAGNOSIS (Section I)
- 2A. DOES THE VETERAN HAVE A PENETRATING MUSCLE INJURY (such as a gunshot or shell fragment wound)? Yes No
- 2B. DOES THE VETERAN HAVE A NON-PENETRATING MUSCLE INJURY (such as a muscle strain, torn Achilles tendon or torn quadriceps muscle)? Yes No Note: If the Veteran has a non-penetrating muscle injury such as that arising from injuries such as muscle strains, tears not resulting from injury by a foreign object entering the muscle, or muscle atrophy due to a service-connected joint or nerve injury,…
- 2C. DESCRIBE THE HISTORY (including onset and course) OF THE VETERAN'S MUSCLE INJURY (brief summary):
HISTORY OF MUSCLE INJURY (Section II)
- 2A. DOES THE VETERAN HAVE A PENETRATING MUSCLE INJURY (such as a gunshot or shell fragment wound)? Yes No
- 2B. DOES THE VETERAN HAVE A NON-PENETRATING MUSCLE INJURY (such as a muscle strain, torn Achilles tendon or torn quadriceps muscle)? Yes No Note: If the Veteran has a non-penetrating muscle injury such as that arising from injuries such as muscle strains, tears not resulting from injury by a foreign object entering the muscle, or muscle atrophy due to a service-connected joint or nerve injury,…
- 2C. DESCRIBE THE HISTORY (including onset and course) OF THE VETERAN'S MUSCLE INJURY (brief summary):
LOCATION OF MUSCLE INJURY (Section III)
- 3A. DOES THE VETERAN NOW HAVE OR HAS HE/SHE EVER HAD AN INJURY TO A MUSCLE GROUP OF THE SHOULDER GIRDLE OR ARM? Yes No If yes, check muscle group(s) and side affected (check all that apply): Side affected: GROUP I: Extrinsic muscles of shoulder girdle: trapezius, levator scapulae, serratus magnus Both Function: Upward rotation of scapula, elevation of arm above shoulder level Right Left Both…
- 3B. DOES THE VETERAN NOW HAVE OR HAS HE/SHE EVER HAD AN INJURY TO A MUSCLE GROUP OF THE FOREARM OR HAND? Yes No If yes, check muscle group(s) and side affected (check all that apply): Side affected: GROUP VII: Muscles of forearm: flexors of the wrist, fingers and thumb Function: Flexion of wrist and fingers Right Left Both GROUP VIII: Muscles: extensors of the wrist, fingers and thumb Function:…
- 3C. DOES THE VETERAN NOW HAVE OR HAS HE/SHE EVER HAD AN INJURY TO A MUSCLE GROUP OF THE FOOT OR LEG? Yes No If yes, check muscle group(s) and side affected (check all that apply) Side affected: GROUP X: Muscles of the foot: flexor digitorum brevis, abductor hallucis, abductor digiti minimi, quadratus plantae, lumbricales, flexor hallucis brevis, adductor hallucis, flexor digiti minimi brevis,…
- 3D. DOES THE VETERAN NOW HAVE OR HAS HE/SHE EVER HAD AN INJURY TO A MUSCLE GROUP OF THE PELVIC GIRDLE OR THIGH? Yes No If yes, check muscle group(s) and side affected (check all that apply) Side affected: GROUP XIII: Posterior thigh/hamstring muscles: biceps femoris, semimembranosus, semitendinosus Function: Flexion of knee Right Left Both GROUP XIV: Anterior thigh muscles: sartorius, rectus…
- 3E. DOES THE VETERAN NOW HAVE OR HAS HE/SHE EVER HAD AN INJURY TO A MUSCLE GROUP IN THE TORSO AND/OR NECK? Yes No If yes, check muscle group(s) and side or region affected (check all that apply) Side or region affected: GROUP XIX: Muscles of the abdominal wall: rectus abdominis, external oblique, internal obliques, transversalis, quadratus lumborum Function: Support of abdominal wall and lower…
- 3F. DOES THE VETERAN HAVE A HISTORY OF RUPTURE OF THE DIAPHRAGM WITH HERNIATION? Yes No If yes, also complete Esophageal Conditions Questionnaire.
- 3G. DOES THE VETERAN HAVE A HISTORY OF AN EXTENSIVE MUSCLE HERNIA OF ANY MUSCLE, WITHOUT OTHER INJURY TO THE MUSCLE? Yes No If yes, name muscle and describe current residuals:
- 3H. DOES THE VETERAN HAVE A HISTORY OF INJURY TO THE FACIAL MUSCLES? Yes No If yes, also complete additional questionnaires (such as cranial nerves, scars, etc.) as appropriate for all identified residual conditions. If yes, is there interference to any extent with mastication? Yes No
- 3I. DOES THE VETERAN HAVE A HISTORY OF RHABDOMYOLYSIS? Yes No - Note: If the Veteran has any renal complications, also complete appropriate renal questionnaire
- 3J. DOES THE VETERAN HAVE A HISTORY OF COMPARTMENT SYNDROME? Yes No
MUSCLE INJURY EXAM (Section IV)
- 4A. DOES THE VETERAN HAVE ANY SCAR(S) ASSOCIATED WITH A MUSCLE INJURY? Yes No If yes, indicate severity of scars(s) caused by the muscle injury(ies). Check all that apply if there is more than one area or type of scarring. Minimal scar(s) Entrance and (if present) exit scars are small or linear, indicating short track of missile through muscle tissue Entrance and (if present) exit scars…
- 4B. DOES THE VETERAN HAVE ANY KNOWN FASCIAL DEFECTS OR EVIDENCE OF FASCIAL DEFECTS ASSOCIATED WITH ANY MUSCLE INJURIES? Yes No If yes, indicate severity of fascial defect(s) caused by the muscle injury(ies) (check all that apply if there is more than one area/type of fascial defect) Some loss of deep fascia Palpation shows loss of deep fascia Other, describe:
- 4C. DOES THE VETERAN'S MUSCLE INJURY(IES) AFFECT MUSCLE SUBSTANCE OR FUNCTION? Yes No If yes, indicate effect of the muscle injury(ies) on muscle substance or function (check all that apply) Some impairment of muscle tonus Some loss of muscle substance Soft flabby muscles in wound area Muscles swell and harden abnormally in contraction Induration or atrophy of an entire muscle following history…
- 4D. DOES THE VETERAN HAVE ANY OF THE FOLLOWING SIGNS AND/OR SYMPTOMS ATTRIBUTABLE TO ANY MUSCLE INJURIES? Yes No (If yes, check all that apply, and indicate side affected, muscle group and frequency/severity): Loss of power (If checked, indicate side affected): Right Left Both (Indicate muscle group(s) affected (I-XXIII) if possible): (Indicate frequency/severity): Occasional Consistent…
- 4E. TEST MUSCLE STRENGTH ONLY FOR AFFECTED MUSCLE GROUPS AND FOR THE CORRESPONDING SOUND (NON-INJURED) SIDE.RATE STRENGTH ACCORDING TO THE FOLLOWING SCALE: 0/5 No muscle movement 1/5 Visible muscle movement, but no joint movement 2/5 No movement against gravity 3/5 No movement against resistance 4/5 Less than normal strength
- 4F. DOES THE VETERAN HAVE MUSCLE ATROPHY OF THE INJURED MUSCLE GROUP? Yes No If muscle atrophy is present, indicate location (such as calf, thigh, forearm, upper arm): (Indicate side affected): Right Left Both (Indicate muscle group(s) affected (I-XXIII) if possible): Provide measurements in centimeters of normal side and atrophied side, measured at maximum muscle bulk: Normal side: cm. Atrophied…
ASSISTIVE DEVICES (Section V)
- 5A. DOES THE VETERAN USE ANY ASSISTIVE DEVICES AS A NORMAL MODE OF LOCOMOTION, ALTHOUGH OCCASIONAL LOCOMOTION BY OTHER METHODS MAY BE POSSIBLE? Yes No Wheelchair Frequency of use: Occasional Regular Constant Brace(s) Frequency of use: Occasional Regular Constant Crutch(es) Frequency of use: Occasional Regular Constant Cane(s) Frequency of use: Occasional Regular Constant
- 5B. IF THE VETERAN USES ANY ASSISTIVE DEVICES, SPECIFY THE CONDITION AND IDENTIFY THE ASSISTIVE DEVICE USED FOR EACH CONDITION. Muscle Injuries
REMAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTION OF THE EXTREMITIES (Section VI)
- 6A. DUE TO THE VETERAN'S MUSCLE CONDITIONS IS THERE FUNCTIONAL IMPAIRMENT OF AN EXTREMITY SUCH THAT NO EFFECTIVE FUNCTION REMAINS OTHER THAN THAT WHICH WOULD BE EQUALLY WELL SERVED BY AN AMPUTATION WITH PROSTHESIS? (Functions of the upper extremity include grasping, manipulation, etc., while functions for the lower extremity include balance, and propulsion, etc.) Yes, functioning is so diminished…
TUMORS AND NEOPLASMS (Section VII)
- 7A. Does the Veteran currently have, or has had, a benign or malignant neoplasm or metastases related to any condition in the diagnosis section? If yes, complete the following section. Yes No
- 7B. Is the neoplasm Benign Malignant (if malignant complete the following): Active In remission Primary Secondary (metastatic) (if secondary, indicate the primary site, if known):
- 7C. Has the Veteran completed treatment or is the Veteran currently undergoing treatment for a benign or malignant neoplasm or metastases? Yes No; watchful waiting If yes, indicate type of treatment the Veteran is currently undergoing or has completed (check all that apply): Treatment completed Surgery If checked, describe: Date(s) of surgery:
- 7D. Does the Veteran currently have any residuals or complications due to the neoplasm (including metastases) or its treatment, other than those already documented in the report above? Yes No If yes, list residuals or complications (brief summary), and also complete the appropriate questionnaire:
- 7E. If there are additional benign or malignant neoplasms or metastases related to any of the diagnoses in the diagnosis section, describe using the above format:
OTHER PERTINENT PHYSICAL FINDINGS, COMPLICATIONS, CONDITIONS, SIGNS AND/OR SYMPTOMS (Section VIII)
- 8A. DOES THE VETERAN HAVE ANY OTHER PERTINENT PHYSICAL FINDINGS, COMPLICATIONS, CONDITIONS, SIGNS AND/OR SYMPTOMS RELATED TO THE CONDITION(S) LISTED IN THE DIAGNOSIS SECTION ABOVE? Yes No If yes, describe (brief summary) Muscle Injuries
- 8B. COMMENTS, IF ANY:
DIAGNOSTIC TESTING (Section IX)
- 9A. HAVE IMAGING STUDIES BEEN PERFORMED IN CONJUNCTION WITH THIS EXAMINATION? Yes No If yes, provide type of test or procedure performed, date and results.
- 9B. IS THERE X-RAY EVIDENCE OF RETAINED METALLIC FRAGMENTS (such as shell fragments or shrapnel) IN ANY MUSCLE GROUP? Yes No (If yes, indicate results): X-ray evidence of retained shell fragment(s) and/or shrapnel Location (specify muscle Group I-XXIII, if possible): (Indicate side affected): Right Left Both X-ray evidence of minute multiple scattered foreign bodies indicating intermuscular…
- 9C. WERE ELECTRODIAGNOSTIC TESTS DONE? Yes No If yes, was there diminished muscle excitability to pulsed electrical current? Yes No (If yes, name affected muscles) Muscle Injuries
- 9D. ARE THERE ANY OTHER DIAGNOSTIC TEST FINDINGS AND/OR RESULTS RELATED TO THE CLAIMED CONDITION(S) AND/OR DIAGNOSIS(ES), THAT WERE REVIEWED IN CONJUNCTION WITH THIS EXAMINATION? Yes No (If yes, provide type of test or procedure, date and results in a brief summary)
FUNCTIONAL IMPACT (Section X)
- 10A. DOES THE VETERAN'S MUSCLE INJURY(IES) IMPACT HIS OR HER ABILITY TO WORK, SUCH AS RESULTING IN INABILITY TO KEEP UP WITH WORK REQUIREMENTS DUE TO MUSCLE INJURY(IES)? Yes No (If yes, describe the impact of each of the Veteran's muscle injuries, providing one or more examples):
REMARKS (Section XI)
- 11A. REMARKS (If any)
Rating Levels for DC 5319
The following tiers are reproduced from 38 CFR Part 4, the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities. Toggle between the official VA criteria and a Plain English explanation.
Plain-English summaries are AI-generated to explain the official criteria. The official 38 CFR language is the binding legal standard. When in doubt, ask a VSO.
Disclaimer: This page reproduces public Department of Veterans Affairs forms (DBQs) and verbatim text from 38 CFR Part 4 (the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities). It is informational only and is not legal or medical advice. For guidance on a specific claim, contact a VA-accredited representative.