What happens during a C&P exam for Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome?

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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Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome

Q: What are the VA rating percentages for Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome?

Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome (DC 8525) is rated at 30%, 20%, 10%, 0% under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8525 (Paralysis of posterior tibial nerve — tarsal tunnel is a NEUROPATHY, not a foot injury; older entries citing DC 5284 are incorrect). DC 8525 "Paralysis of posterior tibial nerve: Complete; paralysis of all muscles of sole of foot, frequently with painful paralysis of a causalgic nature; toes cannot be flexed; adduction is weakened; plantar flexion is impaired" = 30% (Major-or-Minor lower extremity — no Major/Minor distinction in § 4.124a lower-extremity nerves). (Verbatim § 4.124a DC 8525.)

Q: What rates 30% for Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8525 (Paralysis of posterior tibial nerve — tarsal tunnel is a NEUROPATHY, not a foot injury; older entries citing DC 5284 are incorrect)?

Under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8525 (Paralysis of posterior tibial nerve — tarsal tunnel is a NEUROPATHY, not a foot injury; older entries citing DC 5284 are incorrect) (DC 8525), a 30% rating for Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome requires: DC 8525 "Paralysis of posterior tibial nerve: Complete; paralysis of all muscles of sole of foot, frequently with painful paralysis of a causalgic nature; toes cannot be flexed; adduction is weakened; plantar flexion is impaired" = 30% (Major-or-Minor lower extremity — no Major/Minor distinction in § 4.124a lower-extremity nerves). (Verbatim § 4.124a DC 8525.)

Q: What rates 20% for Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8525 (Paralysis of posterior tibial nerve — tarsal tunnel is a NEUROPATHY, not a foot injury; older entries citing DC 5284 are incorrect)?

Under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8525 (Paralysis of posterior tibial nerve — tarsal tunnel is a NEUROPATHY, not a foot injury; older entries citing DC 5284 are incorrect) (DC 8525), a 20% rating for Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome requires: DC 8525 "Incomplete, severe" = 20%. (Verbatim § 4.124a DC 8525.) Severe tarsal tunnel with significant intrinsic muscle weakness + persistent neuropathic pain.

Q: What rates 10% for Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8525 (Paralysis of posterior tibial nerve — tarsal tunnel is a NEUROPATHY, not a foot injury; older entries citing DC 5284 are incorrect)?

Under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8525 (Paralysis of posterior tibial nerve — tarsal tunnel is a NEUROPATHY, not a foot injury; older entries citing DC 5284 are incorrect) (DC 8525), a 10% rating for Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome requires: DC 8525 "Incomplete, moderate" = 10%. (Verbatim § 4.124a DC 8525.) Moderate tarsal tunnel with positive Tinel sign + sensory disturbance in posterior tibial nerve distribution.

Q: What rates 0% for Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8525 (Paralysis of posterior tibial nerve — tarsal tunnel is a NEUROPATHY, not a foot injury; older entries citing DC 5284 are incorrect)?

Under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8525 (Paralysis of posterior tibial nerve — tarsal tunnel is a NEUROPATHY, not a foot injury; older entries citing DC 5284 are incorrect) (DC 8525), a 0% rating for Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome requires: DC 8525 "Incomplete, mild" = 0%. (Verbatim § 4.124a DC 8525.) Mild tarsal tunnel with intermittent paresthesias only and no motor / functional deficit.

Q: What evidence do I need for a Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome VA claim?

Key evidence for a Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome 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 8525 | 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8525 (Paralysis of posterior tibial nerve — tarsal tunnel is a NEUROPATHY, not a foot injury; older entries citing DC 5284 are incorrect) | 

Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 8525 of 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8525 (Paralysis of posterior tibial nerve — tarsal tunnel is a NEUROPATHY, not a foot injury; older entries citing DC 5284 are incorrect) 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

Compression of the posterior tibial nerve within the tarsal tunnel causing burning pain, numbness, and tingling in the foot

RATING CRITERIA (4 LEVELS)

30%

DC 8525 "Paralysis of posterior tibial nerve: Complete; paralysis of all muscles of sole of foot, frequently with painful paralysis of a causalgic nature; toes cannot be flexed; adduction is weakened; plantar flexion is impaired" = 30% (Major-or-Minor lower extremity — no Major/Minor distinction in § 4.124a lower-extremity nerves). (Verbatim § 4.124a DC 8525.)

20%

DC 8525 "Incomplete, severe" = 20%. (Verbatim § 4.124a DC 8525.) Severe tarsal tunnel with significant intrinsic muscle weakness + persistent neuropathic pain.

10%

DC 8525 "Incomplete, moderate" = 10%. (Verbatim § 4.124a DC 8525.) Moderate tarsal tunnel with positive Tinel sign + sensory disturbance in posterior tibial nerve distribution.

DC 8525 "Incomplete, mild" = 0%. (Verbatim § 4.124a DC 8525.) Mild tarsal tunnel with intermittent paresthesias only and no motor / functional deficit.

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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