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Rating Schedule for The Ankle

IMPORTANT NOTE:

  • For the purposes of Range of Motion (ROM), the examiner/rater are REQUIRED to consider flair ups in your conditions. Meaning, if you do not happen to have an Examination on your worst day, the examiner is required to reasonably estimate your impairment on your worst day! The rater is required to use this estimate, unless your ROM is somehow noted as being worse during ROM testing during the exam. In any event, the rater is to use the most impaired ROM measurements noted by the examiner!

Amputation Rule

  • Veterans CANNOT have a total Combined rating of over 40% for ratings involving the ankle and Foot on the same leg.

5165 Amputation

Veteran is entitled to Special Monthly Compensation.

Rating
 Degree of Amputation
40%
 Below the ankle.

5270 Loss of Use (Ankylosis)

When the ankle joint cannot be moved at all.

  • Abduction: Foot is rotated clockwise.

  • Adduction: Foot is rotated counterclockwise.

  • Dorsiflexion: Foot is raised.

  • Eversion: Foot is tilted to the left.

  • Plantar Flexion: Foot is pointed down.

  • Inversion: Foot is tilted to the right.

Rating Ankle is Locked in Plantar Flexion Ankle is Locked in Dorsiflexion Other
20% Less than 30°.
30% Between 30° and 40°. Between 0° and 10°.
40% More than 40°. More than 10°. Any abduction, adduction, inversion or eversion deformity.

5272 Tarsal Joint or Subastragalar Joint Ankylosis

When the joint is frozen in place. It can be frozen in a 'favorable' or 'unfavorable' position.

  • Favorable: Veteran can stand without difficulty.

  • Unfavorable: Veteran has difficulty standing on the foot.

Rating
 Description
10%
 Favorable.
20% Unfavorable.

5056 Ankle Replacement (Prosthesis)

Rating
 Description
20% Minimum Rating.
40% Chronic residuals consisting of severe painful motion or weakness.
100% For 1 year following the replacement. After which, Veteran will be rated on residuals.

5271 Ratings Based Off Limitations of Range of Motion (ROM)

  • Dorsiflexion: Ability to raise your foot.

  • Plantar Flexion: Ability to point your foot down.

Rating
 Dorsiflexion Plantar Flexion
10%
 Less than 15°. Less than 30°.
20% Less than 5°. Less than 10°.

Ankle Instability

Not mentioned in the rating schedule. However, the VA can analogously rate the instability under the code for limitations of range of motion.

PYRAMIDING NOTE:

  • You CANNOT get separate ratings for ankle ROM and for instability of the ankle.

5273, 5274 Ankle Bone (Talus Bone)

Ratings for when this bone has been previously broken and did not heel properly or has been removed.

Rating
 Description
10%
 Foot became slightly deformed.
20% Foot became very deformed.
20% Bone has been removed.

Miscellaneous Ratings

The Veteran will NOT receive an additional rating if they fit the criteria of any of these miscellaneous cases. The Veteran will get a single rating for the ROM or Miscellaneous rating; Whichever rating is higher!

Pain with Motion

PYRAMIDING NOTE:

  • When there is an award based on pain with motion with movement of the ankle. The VA will only award a SINGLE rating under range of motion! No matter how many ranges of motion are impacted!

Rating
 Description
10%
 Pain with motion.

Arthritis

When a Veteran's arthritis does not warrant a rating based upon ROM or other miscellaneous situations. The Veteran's condition will be rated under degenerative arthritis.

For an explanation of arthritis ratings click HERE.

Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQs)

To get an idea of how a C&P exam will be conducted it is recommended that the Veteran look at the applicable DBQ.

Veteran's may ask a physician to complete a DBQ on their behalf to submit with their claim. For more information on DBQs click HERE.

Having Trouble Finding Your Condition?

  • Click HERE to view the Master Condition List.

References