EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. Not legal or medical advice. Not affiliated with the VA.
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Ankle Strain/Instability
DC 5271 | 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5271 |
Ankle Strain/Instability is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 5271 of 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5271 across 2 severity tiers (10% / 20%). 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 Knee Condition or Hip Condition under 38 C.F.R. § 3.310.
OVERVIEW
Chronic ankle pain and instability from repeated sprains or ligament damage, causing limited dorsiflexion and plantar flexion
RATING CRITERIA (2 LEVELS)
10%
Moderate limitation of ankle motion.
20%
Marked limitation of ankle motion.
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 (11 MAPPED)
DC
Ankle instability affects knee mechanics
DC
Gait changes stress hip joint
DC
Ankle dysfunction alters gait and spinal loading
DC
Compensation overloads other ankle
DC
Altered mechanics stress plantar fascia
DC
Altered foot strike transfers stress up kinetic chain
DC
Compensatory gait stresses opposite ankle
DC
Altered foot mechanics stress plantar fascia
DC
Altered foot strike transfers stress up kinetic chain
DC
Compensatory gait stresses opposite ankle
DC
Altered foot mechanics stress plantar fascia
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