VA Diagnostic Code 5282Hammer toe
Rated from 0% to 10% under § 4.71a. Here is what the VA requires at each level.
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- 10%
All toes, unilateral without claw foot
- 0%
Single toes
Hammer Toe (VA Diagnostic Code 5282)
Understanding Your VA Rating for Hammer Toe
Hammer toe is a condition affecting the musculoskeletal system, rated by the VA under Diagnostic Code 5282 in § 4.71a of the rating schedule.
What Is Hammer Toe?
Hammer toe is a foot condition involving the toes. The VA evaluates it based on how many toes are affected and whether the condition involves one foot (unilateral).
Available Rating Levels
The VA uses a rating "ladder" to assign a disability percentage for hammer toe. Here are the levels defined for this diagnostic code:
| Rating | What It Reflects |
|---|---|
| 10% | All toes, unilateral, without claw foot |
| 0% | Single toes |
What the VA Looks For
When rating hammer toe under Diagnostic Code 5282, the VA considers:
- Which toes are affected — whether the condition involves a single toe or all toes.
- Whether it is unilateral — affecting one foot.
- Whether claw foot is present — the 10% level specifically applies when the condition affects all toes on one foot without claw foot.
This information is drawn directly from the VA rating schedule (§ 4.71a, Diagnostic Code 5282). It is provided for general educational purposes and describes the rating criteria only.
These criteria are a rendering of § 4.71a, diagnostic code 5282. The official version is the one that governs your rating.
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File under diagnostic code 5282 and attach the evidence for the level you are asking for. Other Musculoskeletal System codes may cover your secondary conditions.
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