EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. Not legal or medical advice. Not affiliated with the VA.
← All Condition GuidesCLAIM RECON INTEL
Achilles Tendonitis/Tendinopathy
DC 5024 | 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5024 |
Achilles Tendonitis/Tendinopathy 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. This condition is frequently rated as secondary to Plantar Fasciitis or Calf Muscle Weakness under 38 C.F.R. § 3.310.
OVERVIEW
Inflammation or progressive degeneration of the Achilles tendon causing posterior heel pain, stiffness, and difficulty with push-off gait
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%. (Verbatim § 4.71a DC 5270.) Severe chronic Achilles tendinosis with secondary equinus contracture can rarely reach this tier.
30%
DC 5270 "Ankle, ankylosis of: In plantar flexion, between 30° and 40°, or in dorsiflexion, between 0° and 10°" = 30%. (Verbatim § 4.71a DC 5270.)
20%
DC 5270 "Ankle, ankylosis: plantar flexion <30°" = 20%; DC 5271 "Ankle, limited motion: Marked (<5° dorsiflexion or <10° plantar flexion)" = 20%; DC 5272 "Subastragalar / tarsal joint, ankylosis: In poor weight-bearing position" = 20%. (Verbatim § 4.71a.) ⚠ DC 5003 X-ray-only does NOT apply per Note 2.
10%
DC 5271 "Ankle, limited motion: Moderate (<15° dorsiflexion or <30° plantar flexion)" = 10%; DC 5272 "Subastragalar / tarsal ankylosis: In good weight-bearing position" = 10%; OR — DC 5003 single-joint fallback (ankle is one major joint) with painful-motion / swelling / muscle-spasm objectively confirmed = 10%. ⚠ X-ray-only NOT available per Note 2.
0%
Diagnosed Achilles tendonitis without compensable ROM under DC 5271 (dorsiflexion ≥15° AND plantar flexion ≥30°) AND without objectively-confirmed painful motion / swelling / muscle spasm.
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
SECONDARY CONDITIONS (3 MAPPED)
DC
Altered mechanics affect foot
DC
Chronic tendon issues cause muscle atrophy
DC
Compensation affects kinetic chain
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