What rates 0% for Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5276?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5276 (DC 5276), a 0% rating for Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction requires: Mild: symptoms relieved by built-up shoe or arch support.

What happens during a C&P exam for Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction?

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.

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Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction

Q: What are the VA rating percentages for Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction?

Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction (DC 5276) is rated at 50%, 30%, 20%, 10%, 0% under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5276. Pronounced — Bilateral: marked pronation, extreme tenderness of plantar surfaces of the feet, marked inward displacement and severe spasm of the tendo achillis on manipulation, not improved by orthopedic shoes or appliances.

Q: What rates 50% for Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5276?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5276 (DC 5276), a 50% rating for Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction requires: Pronounced — Bilateral: marked pronation, extreme tenderness of plantar surfaces of the feet, marked inward displacement and severe spasm of the tendo achillis on manipulation, not improved by orthopedic shoes or appliances.

Q: What rates 30% for Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5276?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5276 (DC 5276), a 30% rating for Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction requires: Pronounced — Unilateral (same criteria as 50% bilateral). OR — Severe — Bilateral: objective evidence of marked deformity (pronation, abduction, etc.), pain on manipulation and use accentuated, indication of swelling on use, characteristic callosities.

Q: What rates 20% for Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5276?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5276 (DC 5276), a 20% rating for Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction requires: Severe — Unilateral: objective evidence of marked deformity, pain on manipulation and use accentuated, swelling on use, characteristic callosities.

Q: What rates 10% for Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5276?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5276 (DC 5276), a 10% rating for Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction requires: Moderate (bilateral or unilateral): weight-bearing line over or medial to great toe, inward bowing of the tendo achillis, pain on manipulation and use of the feet.

Q: What evidence do I need for a Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction VA claim?

Key evidence for a Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction 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 5276 | 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5276 | 

✓ VERIFIED AGAINST 38 C.F.R.§ 4.71a (Musculoskeletal system) · reviewed 2026-05-27 · ClaimRecon Editorial Team

Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 5276 of 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5276 across 5 severity tiers (50% / 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

Progressive degeneration of the posterior tibial tendon causing adult-acquired flat foot deformity, arch collapse, and inner ankle pain

RATING CRITERIA (5 LEVELS)

50%

Pronounced — Bilateral: marked pronation, extreme tenderness of plantar surfaces of the feet, marked inward displacement and severe spasm of the tendo achillis on manipulation, not improved by orthopedic shoes or appliances.

30%

Pronounced — Unilateral (same criteria as 50% bilateral). OR — Severe — Bilateral: objective evidence of marked deformity (pronation, abduction, etc.), pain on manipulation and use accentuated, indication of swelling on use, characteristic callosities.

20%

Severe — Unilateral: objective evidence of marked deformity, pain on manipulation and use accentuated, swelling on use, characteristic callosities.

10%

Moderate (bilateral or unilateral): weight-bearing line over or medial to great toe, inward bowing of the tendo achillis, pain on manipulation and use of the feet.

Mild: symptoms relieved by built-up shoe or arch support.

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 text quoted verbatim from 38 C.F.R. § 4.71a (Musculoskeletal system). Source verified 2026-05-27 by ClaimRecon Editorial Team during a regulation-text comparison against the Cornell Law CFR mirror; eCFR.gov is the authoritative government source.

→ View § 4.71a on eCFR → Cornell Law mirror → Editorial Standards → Suggest a correction

EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. NOT LEGAL OR MEDICAL ADVICE.
NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
CLAIM RECON 2026

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