EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. Not legal or medical advice. Not affiliated with the VA.
← All Condition GuidesCLAIM RECON INTEL
Hallux Valgus (Bunion)
DC 5280 | 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5280 |
Hallux Valgus (Bunion) is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 5280 of 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5280 across 2 severity tiers (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
Bony deformity at the base of the big toe causing lateral deviation, pain with footwear, and difficulty walking
RATING CRITERIA (2 LEVELS)
10%
DC 5280 verbatim — "Hallux valgus, unilateral: Operated with resection of metatarsal head" = 10%; OR — "Severe, if equivalent to amputation of great toe" = 10%. (Verbatim § 4.71a DC 5280.) For BILATERAL severe / post-operative cases, rate each side as separate 10% claim and combine per § 4.25 + bilateral factor per § 4.26.
0%
Hallux valgus diagnosed (radiographic HVA >15°) without resection of metatarsal head AND without functional impairment equivalent to amputation of great toe. Most asymptomatic / non-operative cases rate 0%.
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