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Achilles Tendon Rupture
DC 5024 | 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5024 |
Achilles Tendon Rupture is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 5024 of 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5024 across 5 severity tiers (40% / 30% / 20% / 10% / 0%). Service connection requires (1) a current diagnosis, (2) an in-service event, injury, or exposure, and (3) a medical nexus opinion linking the two under 38 C.F.R. § 3.303.
OVERVIEW
Complete or partial tear of the Achilles tendon causing significant loss of push-off strength, gait impairment, and calf weakness
RATING CRITERIA (5 LEVELS)
40%
DC 5270 "Ankle, ankylosis of: In plantar flexion at more than 40°, or in dorsiflexion at more than 10° or with abduction, adduction, inversion or eversion deformity" = 40%; OR — DC 5311 "Muscle injury, Group XI (posterior + lateral crural)" severe = 30%, combined with DC 5271 marked = 20%, may reach 40%+ per § 4.25. (Verbatim § 4.71a DC 5270 / DC 5311.)
30%
DC 5270 "Plantar flexion between 30° and 40°, or dorsiflexion between 0° and 10°" = 30%; DC 5311 "Muscle Group XI" moderately severe = 20%, combined with DC 5271 marked = 20%, may reach 30% per § 4.25. (Verbatim § 4.71a.)
20%
DC 5270 "Plantar flexion <30°" = 20%; DC 5271 "Marked (<5° dorsiflexion or <10° plantar flexion)" = 20%; DC 5311 "Muscle Group XI, moderately severe" = 20%. (Verbatim § 4.71a.) ⚠ DC 5003 X-ray-only does NOT apply per Note 2.
10%
DC 5271 "Moderate (<15° dorsiflexion or <30° plantar flexion)" = 10%; DC 5311 "Muscle Group XI, moderate" = 10%; OR — DC 5003 single-joint fallback with objectively-confirmed painful motion / weakness = 10%. (Verbatim § 4.71a.)
0%
Diagnosed Achilles rupture with successful surgical repair, normal ankle ROM, normal strength, no objectively-confirmed painful motion. Rare for complete rupture residuals to be fully noncompensable.
KEY EVIDENCE TO GATHER
-Service treatment records showing injury or complaints
-Imaging (X-ray, MRI, CT)
-Range of motion measurements
-Flare-up documentation per Sharp v. Shulkin
-Buddy statements describing limitations
-Prescription history
-Physical therapy records
-Employment impact documentation
C&P EXAM TIPS (6)
1.Do NOT stretch, warm up, or take pain medication before your exam. The VA needs your baseline limitation.
2.Report your WORST day. DeLuca v. Brown requires documentation of functional loss during flare-ups.
3.Tell the examiner about flare-ups: frequency, duration, estimated ROM loss. Sharp v. Shulkin (2017) requires estimates.
4.Request active, passive, weight-bearing, and non-weight-bearing ROM testing per Correia v. McDonald (2016).
5.If you use assistive devices (brace, cane), bring them.
6.Describe daily activity impact: work, sleep, household tasks.
SOURCES & EDITORIAL
Rating criteria reference 38 C.F.R. Part 4 (Schedule for Rating Disabilities). This entry has not yet undergone editorial review against the live regulation text — consult the authoritative source directly before relying on the criteria shown.
EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. NOT LEGAL OR MEDICAL ADVICE.
NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
CLAIM RECON 2026