What happens during a C&P exam for Hammer Toe?

Do NOT stretch, warm up, or take pain medication before your exam. The VA needs your baseline limitation. Report your WORST day. DeLuca v. Brown requires documentation of functional loss during flare-ups.

EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. Not legal or medical advice. Not affiliated with the VA.

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Hammer Toe

Q: What are the VA rating percentages for Hammer Toe?

Hammer Toe (DC 5282) is rated at 10%, 0% under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5282. DC 5282 verbatim — "Hammer toe: All toes, unilateral without claw foot" = 10%. (Verbatim § 4.71a DC 5282.) Complete unilateral hammer-toe deformity of all 5 toes WITHOUT pes cavus. If associated with claw foot, rate under DC 5278 instead.

Q: What rates 10% for Hammer Toe under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5282?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5282 (DC 5282), a 10% rating for Hammer Toe requires: DC 5282 verbatim — "Hammer toe: All toes, unilateral without claw foot" = 10%. (Verbatim § 4.71a DC 5282.) Complete unilateral hammer-toe deformity of all 5 toes WITHOUT pes cavus. If associated with claw foot, rate under DC 5278 instead.

Q: What rates 0% for Hammer Toe under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5282?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5282 (DC 5282), a 0% rating for Hammer Toe requires: DC 5282 verbatim — "Hammer toe: Single toes" = 0%. (Verbatim § 4.71a DC 5282.) Isolated single-toe hammer-toe deformities are non-compensable under DC 5282. Functional impact from single-toe deformity may rate-by-analogy under DC 5284 if severe.

Q: What evidence do I need for a Hammer Toe VA claim?

Key evidence for a Hammer Toe claim includes: 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. All evidence should document both the condition and its impact on daily functioning.

DC 5282 | 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5282 | 

Hammer Toe is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 5282 of 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5282 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

Deformity where the toe bends permanently downward at the middle joint, causing pain with footwear and callus formation

RATING CRITERIA (2 LEVELS)

10%

DC 5282 verbatim — "Hammer toe: All toes, unilateral without claw foot" = 10%. (Verbatim § 4.71a DC 5282.) Complete unilateral hammer-toe deformity of all 5 toes WITHOUT pes cavus. If associated with claw foot, rate under DC 5278 instead.

DC 5282 verbatim — "Hammer toe: Single toes" = 0%. (Verbatim § 4.71a DC 5282.) Isolated single-toe hammer-toe deformities are non-compensable under DC 5282. Functional impact from single-toe deformity may rate-by-analogy under DC 5284 if severe.

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.

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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.

→ View 38 C.F.R. Part 4 on eCFR → Editorial Standards → Suggest a correction

EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. NOT LEGAL OR MEDICAL ADVICE.
NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
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