Rating Schedule for the Foot
GENERAL PYRAMIDING NOTES:
If a rating schedule contains ratings for bilateral and unilateral then only a SINGLE rating will be awarded under that schedule!
Getting multiple ratings for multiple foot conditions:
As the foot is a compact structure it is common for symptoms to overlap. For ease of understanding, consider the foot to be made up of 3 parts:
1. Heel
2. Middle
3. Toes
If you have a foot condition that impacts the middle of the foot then you CANNOT get a separate evaluation for painful motion for a heel condition on the same foot.
If you have a foot condition that impacts the middle of the foot you COULD be allowed to have a separate evaluation for painful motion for a toe condition on the same foot. This is a case-by-case decision based upon your specific symptoms.
Amputation Rule
Veterans CANNOT have a total Combined rating of over 40% for the entire foot or 30% if it just involves the toes.
Amputation/Loss of Use
When the part is removed or has a condition so severe that it cannot be used.
5107, 5110, 5167 Foot
PYRAMIDING NOTE:
In the event the Veteran has a bilateral foot condition and one foot is amputated/considered loss of use, then the VA will award a single 40% for the loss of use foot and a separate rating the non-amputated/loss of use foot.
For example, if the Veteran has bilateral flat foot and the left foot is considered loss of use. Then the VA will rate the remaining right flat foot without consideration of the left foot. In short, consider the left foot as being normal when evaluating the right foot.
*Veteran is entitled to Special Monthly Compensation.
5104/5105/5108/5111 Veterans who also have an amputation or loss of use of a hand will have both ratings replaced with a singular 100% rating.
| Rating |
Amputation/Lose of Use |
|---|---|
| 40% |
Single foot*. |
| 100% | Both feet. |
5166 Forefoot Amputation
*Veteran is entitled to Special Monthly Compensation.
| Rating |
Amputation |
|---|---|
| 40% |
Entire forefoot. |
Toe Amputations
Amputation of toes is rated on the number of toes lost (on the SAME foot), the degree of amputation, and if the big toe is involved.
PYRAMIDING NOTE:
Only one of the following amputation ratings may be given per foot.
Foot Conditions
5269 Policeman's Heel (Plantar Fasciitis)
When the Veteran has severe pain in the heel of their foot.
*Per foot.
**Veteran is entitled to Special Monthly Compensation.
NOTE:
If the Veteran is NOT a candidate for surgery but it was recommended, for rating purposes they are to be considered to have tried it.
| Rating |
Description |
|---|---|
| 10% |
Unilateral or bilateral: Has NOT attempted BOTH non-surgical and surgical treatments. |
| 20% | Unilateral: No relief from BOTH non-surgical and surgical treatments. |
| 30% | Bilateral: No relief from BOTH non-surgical and surgical treatments. |
| 40%* | Pain is substantial enough to constitute loss of use**. |
5276 Flat Foot (Pes Planus)
When the Veteran's foot has no or very low arches.
Veteran is rated based upon the severity of their disability:
Mild; symptoms relieved by built-up shoe or arch support.
Moderate; weight-bearing line over or medial to great toe, inward bowing of the tendo achillis, pain on manipulation and use of the feet.
Severe; objective evidence of marked deformity (pronation, abduction, etc.), pain on manipulation and use accentuated, indication of swelling on use, characteristic callosities.
Pronounced; marked pronation, extreme tenderness of plantar surfaces of the feet, marked inward displacement and severe spasm of the tendo achillis on manipulation, not improved by orthopedic shoes or appliances.
| Bilateral Rating |
Unilateral Rating |
Severity |
|---|---|---|
| 0% |
0%. | Mild. |
| 10% | 10%. | Moderate. |
| 30% | 20%. | Severe. |
| 50% | 30%. | Pronounced. |
5278 Claw Foot (Pes Cavus)
When the Veteran's foot has arches that are too high.
Veteran is rated based upon the severity of their disability:
Slight; Symptoms relieved by built-up shoe or arch support.
Moderate; Great toe dorsiflexed, some limitation of dorsiflexion at ankle, definite tenderness under metatarsal heads.
Severe; All toes tending to dorsiflexion, limitation of dorsiflexion at ankle to right angle, shortened plantar fascia, and marked tenderness under metatarsal heads.
Pronounced; Marked contraction of plantar fascia with dropped forefoot, all toes hammer toes, very painful callosities, marked varus deformity.
PYRAMIDING NOTES:
Veterans CANNOT receive a claw foot rating and a Hammer toe rating for the same foot.
Veterans CANNOT receive a claw foot rating and a Hallux rigidus rating for the same foot.
| Bilateral Rating |
Unilateral Rating |
Severity |
|---|---|---|
| 0% |
0%. | Slight. |
| 10% | 10%. | Moderate. |
| 30% | 20%. | Severe. |
| 50% | 30%. | Pronounced. |
5280 Bunions (Hallux Valgus)
A bony bump on the outside of the big toe.
PYRAMIDING NOTE:
Veterans CAN receive a separate Flat foot rating and a hallux valgus rating for the same foot.
| Rating |
Description |
|---|---|
| 10% |
If surgery has been preformed to remove the bump. |
| 10% | If so severe that the big toe may as well have been amputated. |
5281 Stiff Big Toe (Hallux Rigidus)
When bone spurs cause an arthritis form at the base of the big toe. Resulting in the toe becoming stiff and difficult to move.
PYRAMIDING NOTES:
Veterans CANNOT receive a separate claw foot rating and a hallux rigidus rating for the same foot.
Veterans CANNOT receive a separate hallux rigidus rating and a Hammer toe rating for the same foot.
| Rating |
Description |
|---|---|
| 10% | Current Diagnosis. |
5282 Hammer Toe
When the toe is permanently bent. Giving the appearance that the toe is shaped like the head of hammer.
PYRAMIDING NOTES:
Veterans CANNOT receive a separate claw foot rating and a hammer toe rating for the same foot.
Veterans CANNOT receive a separate hallux rigidus rating and a hammer toe rating for the same foot.
| Rating |
Description |
|---|---|
| 0% |
Not all toes. |
| 10% | All toes on a single foot. |
5283 Foot Bones (Tarsal or Metatarsal Bones)
If a bone in the foot is broken and healed improperly or never heals it will be rated upon how it affects the function of the foot.
*Veteran is entitled to Special Monthly Compensation.
| Rating |
Description |
|---|---|
| 10% |
Foot hurts but foot functions okay. |
| 20% | Foot pain is more severe but foot still functions. |
| 30% | Foot is severely affected but it can still be used. |
| 40% | Pain is substantial enough to constitute loss of use*. |
Other Foot Ratings
5277 Bilateral Weak Foot
A symptomatic condition secondary to many constitutional conditions, characterized by atrophy of the musculature, disturbed circulation, and weakness.
When both feet are affected then whatever is the primary condition CANNOT be rated less than 10%.
PYRAMIDING NOTE:
This is NOT an additional individual rating!
RATER NOTE:
On a codesheet this would be coded as 52XX-5277 (with the Xs being the code for the foot condition which is causing the bilateral weak feet).
5284 Catch All (Foot Injuries, Other)
When a foot condition exists but does not fit under any other criteria. It will be rated on how the severity affects the foot.
*Veteran is entitled to Special Monthly Compensation.
| Rating |
Description |
|---|---|
| 10% |
Moderate. |
| 20% | Moderate severe. |
| 30% | Severe. |
| 40% | Substantial enough to constitute loss of use*. |
Miscellaneous
PYRAMIDING NOTES:
The Veteran will NOT receive an additional rating if they fit the following criteria. The Veteran will get a single rating under the rating schedule for their foot condition or this rating; Whichever rating is higher!
If feet conditions do NOT violate the General or other pyramiding rules then a 10% can be awarded for each condition based on pain with motion.
If the foot condition which applies the miscellaneous rating mentions bilateral in the schedule then only a single 10% can be awarded based on pain with motion!
So no 10% per foot!
| 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.
Having Trouble Finding Your Condition?
Click HERE to view the Master Condition List.