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Calcaneus Fracture (Residuals)
DC 5273 | 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5273 |
Calcaneus Fracture (Residuals) is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 5273 of 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5273 across 4 severity tiers (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
Residual pain, deformity, and limited subtalar motion from a healed calcaneus (heel bone) fracture affecting weight-bearing and gait
RATING CRITERIA (4 LEVELS)
30%
DC 5270 "Ankle ankylosis: plantar flexion 30-40°, or dorsiflexion 0-10°" = 30% (when calcaneus malunion has progressed to fixed ankle position); DC 5284 "Foot injuries, other: Severe" = 30%; DC 5283 "Tarsal/metatarsal malunion: Severe" = 30%. (Verbatim § 4.71a.)
20%
DC 5273 "Os calcis or astragalus, malunion of: Marked deformity" = 20%; DC 5272 "Subastragalar / tarsal joint, ankylosis: In poor weight-bearing position" = 20%; DC 5283 "Tarsal/metatarsal malunion: Moderately severe" = 20%; DC 5284 "Foot injuries, other: Moderately severe" = 20%; DC 5271 "Ankle marked limited motion" = 20%. (Verbatim § 4.71a.)
10%
DC 5273 "Os calcis or astragalus, moderate deformity" = 10%; DC 5272 "Subastragalar / tarsal ankylosis: In good weight-bearing position" = 10%; DC 5283 "Tarsal/metatarsal malunion: Moderate" = 10%; DC 5284 "Foot injuries, other: Moderate" = 10%; DC 5271 "Ankle moderate limited motion" = 10%; OR — DC 5003 single-joint fallback with painful motion = 10%. (Verbatim § 4.71a.)
0%
Calcaneus fracture fully healed with normal Böhler angle (20-40°), no subtalar arthrosis, normal ROM, no painful-motion findings. Rare — most calcaneus fractures produce SOME compensable residual.
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