VA Diagnostic Code 5270Ankle, ankylosis of:
Rated from 20% to 40% under § 4.71a. Here is what the VA requires at each level.
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What each rating requires
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- 40%
In plantar flexion at more than 40°, or in dorsiflexion at more than 10° or with abduction, adduction, inversion or eversion deformity
- 30%
In plantar flexion, between 30° and 40°, or in dorsiflexion, between 0° and 10°
- 20%
In plantar flexion, less than 30°
Ankle Ankylosis (VA Diagnostic Code 5270)
Understanding Ankle Ankylosis
Body System: Musculoskeletal System Diagnostic Code: 5270 Regulation: 38 CFR § 4.71a
Ankylosis of the ankle refers to the ankle joint becoming fixed or fused in a set position, limiting its ability to move. Under the VA rating schedule, this condition is evaluated based on the position in which the ankle is fixed and the degree of that fixation.
Available Rating Levels
The VA assigns a disability rating for ankle ankylosis according to the following levels:
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 40% | Ankylosis in plantar flexion at more than 40°, or in dorsiflexion at more than 10°, or with abduction, adduction, inversion, or eversion deformity |
| 30% | Ankylosis in plantar flexion between 30° and 40°, or in dorsiflexion between 0° and 10° |
| 20% | Ankylosis in plantar flexion at less than 30° |
What the VA Looks For
When rating ankle ankylosis under Diagnostic Code 5270, the VA focuses on:
- The position of the fixed ankle — specifically whether it is fixed in plantar flexion (foot pointing down) or dorsiflexion (foot pointing up).
- The degree of fixation — the number of degrees at which the joint is set in plantar flexion or dorsiflexion, which determines the applicable rating level.
- The presence of deformity — including abduction, adduction, inversion, or eversion deformity, which is considered at the highest listed rating level.
Each rating level reflects a different combination of joint position and degree, so the specific way in which the ankle is fixed is central to how this condition is evaluated.
These criteria are a rendering of § 4.71a, diagnostic code 5270. The official version is the one that governs your rating.
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