Muscle Injury, Anterior Thigh (Muscle Group XIV)

DC 5314Musculoskeletal38 CFR 4.73, DC 5314

Injury to the muscles of the front thigh (quadriceps) that control knee extension. The VA rates muscle injuries based on the severity of damage, from slight to severe, considering the type of wound, treatment history, and current disability.

Rating Levels

You have a severe muscle injury to Muscle Group XIV. The original wound was a shattering bone fracture or open comminuted fracture with extensive debridement, prolonged infection, or sloughing of soft parts. You have severe loss of muscle substance and marked weakness of knee extension. This is the maximum schedular rating for Muscle Group XIV.

What the VA looks for

History of shattering bone fracture or open comminuted fracture
Extensive debridement and prolonged infection documented
Ragged, depressed, and adherent scars indicating wide damage
Severe loss of muscle substance and marked weakness
X-ray may show minute scattered foreign bodies

Common Pitfalls

⚠Not documenting the specific muscle group affected — the VA rates each muscle group under its own diagnostic code with different rating percentages.
⚠Failing to describe the original wounding mechanism in detail — the type of wound (bullet, shrapnel, blast) is critical for determining severity.
⚠Not reporting loss of strength in knee extension on examination — ask the examiner to document specific strength testing.
⚠Not documenting tissue loss, scarring, or adhesions — these are key factors in distinguishing moderate from moderately severe and severe injuries.

Related DBQ Forms

DBQ Muscle Injuries

View evidence checklist →See secondary conditions →

Condition Rating Guides

Understand what the VA looks for at each rating level — loading conditions…

Rating Levels

What the VA looks for

History of shattering bone fracture or open comminuted fracture
Extensive debridement and prolonged infection documented
Ragged, depressed, and adherent scars indicating wide damage
Severe loss of muscle substance and marked weakness
X-ray may show minute scattered foreign bodies

Common Pitfalls

⚠Not documenting the specific muscle group affected — the VA rates each muscle group under its own diagnostic code with different rating percentages.

⚠Failing to describe the original wounding mechanism in detail — the type of wound (bullet, shrapnel, blast) is critical for determining severity.

⚠Not reporting loss of strength in knee extension on examination — ask the examiner to document specific strength testing.

⚠Not documenting tissue loss, scarring, or adhesions — these are key factors in distinguishing moderate from moderately severe and severe injuries.