VA Diagnostic Code 5280Hallux valgus, unilateral
A single 10% rating under § 4.71a. Here is what the VA requires for it.
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- 10%
Operated with resection of metatarsal head
- 10%
Severe, if equivalent to amputation of great toe
Hallux Valgus (Unilateral) — VA Disability Rating (Diagnostic Code 5280)
Understanding the Condition
Hallux valgus is a condition affecting the great toe on one foot (unilateral). It falls under the VA's rating schedule for the Musculoskeletal System and is evaluated under Diagnostic Code 5280 in 38 CFR § 4.71a.
If you have a service-connected hallux valgus condition, the VA assigns a disability rating based on the criteria set out in the rating schedule below.
Available Rating Levels
The VA rates unilateral hallux valgus at the following level:
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 10% | Operated with resection of metatarsal head |
| 10% | Severe, if equivalent to amputation of great toe |
What the VA Looks For
When evaluating hallux valgus of one foot, the VA reviews your condition against the two criteria that support a 10% rating:
- Whether the condition was operated on with resection of the metatarsal head, or
- Whether the condition is severe — specifically, severe to a degree considered equivalent to amputation of the great toe.
The VA determines your rating by comparing your documented condition to these criteria as described in the rating schedule.
This information is drawn directly from the VA rating schedule under 38 CFR § 4.71a, Diagnostic Code 5280. Individual ratings depend on the specific facts and medical evidence in each case.
These criteria are a rendering of § 4.71a, diagnostic code 5280. The official version is the one that governs your rating.
View official sourceHow to claim this
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File under diagnostic code 5280 and attach the evidence for the level you are asking for. Other Musculoskeletal System codes may cover your secondary conditions.
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