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Tibial Stress Fracture
DC 5262 | 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5262 |
Tibial Stress Fracture is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 5262 of 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5262 across 5 severity tiers (40% / 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
Hairline fracture of the tibia (shinbone) from repetitive stress and impact, common in military training and running
RATING CRITERIA (5 LEVELS)
40%
DC 5262 "Tibia and fibula, impairment of: Nonunion of, with loose motion, requiring brace" = 40%. (Verbatim § 4.71a DC 5262.) Stress fracture progressing to complete fracture with nonunion — rare but documented in chronic refractory cases (femoral neck, anterior tibial cortex "dreaded black line").
30%
DC 5262 Malunion clause: rate via DC 5256 "Knee ankylosis 0-10°" = 30%, OR DC 5260 "Knee flexion limited to 15°" = 30%, OR DC 5261 "Knee extension limited to 20°" = 30%. (Verbatim § 4.71a.) Severe stress fracture residual with knee impact.
20%
DC 5262 Malunion via DC 5260 "Knee flexion limited to 30°" = 20%; DC 5261 "Knee extension limited to 15°" = 20%; DC 5271 "Ankle marked limited motion" = 20%; OR — DC 5003 X-ray-only "2+ major joints, with occasional incapacitating exacerbations" = 20% (DC 5262 is NOT in 5013-5024 exclusion range). (Verbatim § 4.71a.)
10%
DC 5262 Malunion via DC 5260 "Knee flexion limited to 45°" = 10%; DC 5261 "Knee extension limited to 10°" = 10%; DC 5271 "Ankle moderate limited motion" = 10%; OR — DC 5003 single-joint fallback with painful motion / tenderness at fracture site = 10%. (Verbatim § 4.71a.)
0%
Healed stress fracture with normal ROM, no nonunion / malunion findings, no objectively-confirmed painful-motion residuals. Most stress fractures heal completely with rest (4-8 weeks) and produce no 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