Rating Schedule for the Ankle
IMPORTANT NOTE:
For the purposes of Range of Motion (ROM), the examiner/rater are REQUIRED to consider flair ups in your conditions. Meaning, if you do not happen to have an Examination on your worst day, the examiner is required to reasonably estimate your impairment on your worst day! The rater is required to use this estimate, unless your ROM is somehow noted as being worse during ROM testing during the exam. In any event, the rater is to use the most impaired ROM measurements noted by the examiner!
5165 Amputation
Veteran is entitled to Special Monthly Compensation.
| Rating |
Degree of Amputation |
|---|---|
| 40% |
At the ankle. |
5270 Joint Stiffness (Ankylosis)
When the ankle joint cannot be moved.
Abduction: Foot is rotated clockwise.
Adduction: Foot is rotated counterclockwise.
Dorsiflexion: Foot is raised.
Eversion: Foot is tilted to the left.
Plantar Flexion: Foot is pointed down.
Inversion: Foot is tilted to the right.
| Rating | Ankle is Locked in Plantar Flexion | Ankle is Locked in Dorsiflexion | Other |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20% | Less than 30°. | ||
| 30% | Between 30° and 40°. | Between 0° and 10°. | |
| 40% | More than 40°. | More than 10°. | Any abduction, adduction, inversion or eversion deformity. |
5272 Tarsal Joint or Subastragalar Joint Ankylosis
When the joint is frozen in place. It can be frozen in a 'favorable' or 'unfavorable' position.
Favorable: Veteran can stand without difficulty.
Unfavorable: Veteran has difficulty standing on the foot.
| Rating |
Description |
|---|---|
| 10% |
Favorable. |
| 20% | Unfavorable. |
5056 Ankle Replacement (Prosthesis)
PYRAMIDING NOTE:
If the joint had ANY other musculoskeletal evaluations (ankylosis, range of motion, etc.) they WILL BE discontinued the date of the procedure!
IMPORTANT NOTES:
After the temporary 100% ends the Veteran can file for an increase if they feel their symptoms warrant a higher evaluation.
If this condition could be rated higher under ankylosis, the rater will do so; replacing this evaluation.
Medical evidence MUST show:
Date of admission;
Date of discharge;
Date of surgery; AND
Procedure performed.
If the procedure is noted for a non-service-connected condition then the VA will get a medical opinion to determine if the non-service-connected condition is a progression of the service-connected condition.
RATER NOTES:
Temp 100% includes a bonus 1 month due to 38 CFR 4.30, so while it says 1 year it is actually 13 months total!
Example: Admitted for surgery June 12, 2025 and release June 12, 2025.
Effective date of 100% due to 38 CFR 4.30 is June 12, 2025 to August 1, 2025. Then 12 months due to the schedule ending on August 1, 2026. So in the end, temp 100% runs from June 12, 2025 to August 1, 2026.
Example rollover: Admitted for surgery February 28, 2025 and released March 2, 2025.
Effective date of 100% due to 38 CFR 4.30 is February 28, 2025 to May 1, 2025. Then 12 months due to the schedule ending on May 1, 2026. So in the end, temp 100% runs from February 28, 2025 to May 1, 2026.
Remember to check for temporary entitlement to SMC S and to discontinue it as appropriate!
Any residual Scars?
Temporary 100% CANNOT be the basis of the award of Permanent and Total… It is in the name…
| Rating |
Description |
|---|---|
| 20% | Minimum rating. |
| 40% | Chronic residuals consisting of severe painful motion or weakness. |
| 100% | For 1 year following the replacement. After which, Veteran will be rated the minimum. |
Ankle Instability
Not mentioned in the rating schedule. However, the VA can Analogously rate the instability under the code for limitations of range of motion.
PYRAMIDING NOTE:
You CANNOT get separate ratings for ankle ROM and for instability of the ankle.
Miscellaneous Ratings
The Veteran will NOT receive an additional rating if they fit the criteria of any of these miscellaneous cases. The Veteran will get a single rating for the ROM or Miscellaneous rating; Whichever rating is higher!
Pain with Motion
PYRAMIDING NOTE:
When there is an award based on pain with motion with movement of the ankle. The VA will only award a SINGLE rating under range of motion! No matter how many ranges of motion are impacted!
| Rating |
Description |
|---|---|
| 10% |
Pain with motion. |
Arthritis
When a Veteran's arthritis does not warrant a rating based upon ROM or other miscellaneous situations. The Veteran's condition will be rated under degenerative arthritis.
For an explanation of arthritis ratings click HERE.
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