EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. Not legal or medical advice. Not affiliated with the VA.
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Metatarsalgia
DC 5279 | 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5279 |
Metatarsalgia is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 5279 of 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5279 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
Chronic pain and inflammation in the ball of the foot at the metatarsal heads, aggravated by standing, walking, and impact activities
RATING CRITERIA (2 LEVELS)
10%
DC 5279 verbatim — "Metatarsalgia, anterior (Morton's disease), unilateral, or bilateral" = 10%. (Verbatim § 4.71a DC 5279.) FLAT rating — same 10% whether unilateral or bilateral.
0%
Diagnosed metatarsalgia without documented painful symptoms / weight-bearing pain / palpable tenderness at metatarsal heads. Rare for symptomatic metatarsalgia to be 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