VA Diagnostic Code 5262Tibia and fibula, impairment of:

Rated from 0% to 40% under § 4.71a. Here is what the VA requires at each level.

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In short

Summary

Malunion of: Evaluate under diagnostic codes 5256, 5257, 5260, or 5261 for the knee, or 5270 or 5271 for the ankle, whichever results in the highest evaluation.

The ladder

What each rating requires

The VA assigns the highest level your evidence actually supports. Read up the stack until your records stop matching.

40%Maximum
Nonunion of, with loose motion, requiring brace
30%
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
20%
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, one lower extremity
10%
Medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS), or shin splints: Requiring treatment for no less than 12 consecutive months, and unresponsive to either shoe orthotics or other conservative treatment, one or both lower extremities
0%
Medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS), or shin splints: Treatment less than 12 consecutive months, one or both lower extremities

Tibia and Fibula Impairment (VA Diagnostic Code 5262)

Musculoskeletal System · 38 CFR § 4.71a

Understanding This Condition

Diagnostic Code 5262 covers impairment of the tibia and fibula — the two long bones of the lower leg. This rating category addresses several types of impairment, including:

Nonunion of the bone, where a fracture fails to heal properly and can result in loose motion that requires a brace.
Malunion, where the bone heals in an improper position.
Medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS), also commonly known as shin splints.

Because these impairments can affect either the knee or the ankle, the VA rates them in the way that best reflects the impact on your leg.

How the VA Rates Tibia and Fibula Impairment

Malunion

For malunion of the tibia and fibula, the VA evaluates the condition under the diagnostic codes for the knee (5256, 5257, 5260, or 5261) or the ankle (5270 or 5271), whichever results in the highest evaluation.

Rating Levels

Rating	Criteria
40%	Nonunion of the tibia and fibula, with loose motion, requiring a brace.
30%	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 — in both lower extremities.
20%	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 — in one lower extremity.
10%	MTSS or shin splints requiring treatment for no less than 12 consecutive months, and unresponsive to either shoe orthotics or other conservative treatment — in one or both lower extremities.
0%	MTSS or shin splints with treatment for less than 12 consecutive months — in one or both lower extremities.

What the VA Looks For

When evaluating impairment of the tibia and fibula, the VA considers factors such as:

Whether there is nonunion of the bone, and if it involves loose motion that requires a brace.
Whether there is malunion, which is rated under the related knee or ankle codes for the highest applicable evaluation.
For MTSS or shin splints, the duration of treatment — specifically whether treatment has continued for no less than 12 consecutive months.
How the condition has responded to treatment, including whether it is unresponsive to surgery, shoe orthotics, or other conservative treatment.
Whether one or both lower extremities are affected.

This information is based on the VA rating schedule under 38 CFR § 4.71a, Diagnostic Code 5262. Individual ratings depend on your specific medical evidence and circumstances.

These criteria are a rendering of § 4.71a, diagnostic code 5262. The official version is the one that governs your rating.

View official source

What next

How to claim this

Knowing the criteria is the first half. Getting your file to show them is the second.

Find your level in the stack
Read each rung against what your medical records already say. The level your records document today is the one the VA can support today.
Name the gap
Look at the rung above yours and write down exactly what it asks for that your file does not show yet — a diagnosis, a measurement, a prescribed brace, a doctor’s opinion linking it to service.
Claim it by code
File under diagnostic code 5262 and attach the evidence for the level you are asking for. Other Musculoskeletal System codes may cover your secondary conditions.

Find out which rating your evidence supports.

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