EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. Not legal or medical advice. Not affiliated with the VA.
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Shin Splints (Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome)
DC 5262 | 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5262 |
Shin Splints (Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome) is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 5262 of 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5262 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
Chronic pain and inflammation along the medial tibial border from repetitive overuse during running, marching, or impact activities
RATING CRITERIA (4 LEVELS)
30%
DC 5262 verbatim — "Medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS), or shin splints: Requiring treatment for no less than 12 consecutive months, and unresponsive to surgery and either shoe orthotics or other conservative treatment, both lower extremities" = 30%. (Verbatim § 4.71a DC 5262.) Bilateral refractory MTSS post-surgical fasciotomy.
20%
DC 5262 verbatim — "MTSS: Requiring treatment for no less than 12 consecutive months, and unresponsive to surgery and either shoe orthotics or other conservative treatment, one lower extremity" = 20%. (Verbatim § 4.71a DC 5262.) Unilateral refractory MTSS post-surgical fasciotomy.
10%
DC 5262 verbatim — "MTSS: Requiring treatment for no less than 12 consecutive months, and unresponsive to either shoe orthotics or other conservative treatment, one or both lower extremities" = 10%. (Verbatim § 4.71a DC 5262.) Chronic MTSS at the 12-month threshold without yet requiring surgery.
0%
DC 5262 verbatim — "MTSS: Treatment less than 12 consecutive months, one or both lower extremities" = 0%. (Verbatim § 4.71a DC 5262.) Acute MTSS or chronic but treatment duration <12 months — noncompensable.
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