---
title: "DC 5271 - Ankle, limited motion of:"
diagnostic_code: "5271"
body_system: "Musculoskeletal System"
cfr_section: "§ 4.71a"
canonical: "https://veteranai.co/va-rating-schedule/musculoskeletal/5271-limited-ankle-motion"
source: "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.71a"
updated: "2026-07-21T20:04:32.537880Z"
---

# DC 5271 - Ankle, limited motion of:

Rated under § 4.71a. Body system: Musculoskeletal System.

## Rating criteria

| Rating | Criteria |
| --- | --- |
| 20% | Marked (less than 5 degrees dorsiflexion or less than 10 degrees plantar flexion) |
| 10% | Moderate (less than 15 degrees dorsiflexion or less than 30 degrees plantar flexion) |

# Limited Motion of the Ankle (VA Diagnostic Code 5271)

**Understanding how the VA rates reduced range of motion in the ankle.**

## What This Condition Is

Diagnostic Code 5271 covers **limited motion of the ankle** under the Musculoskeletal System. When an ankle cannot move through its normal range, the VA evaluates the severity of that limitation to assign a disability rating.

Ankle movement is measured in two primary directions:

- **Dorsiflexion** — flexing the foot upward, toward the shin.
- **Plantar flexion** — pointing the foot downward, away from the shin.

The degree to which these movements are restricted determines the rating level.

## Available Rating Levels

Under Diagnostic Code 5271, there are two rating levels:

| Rating | Criteria |
|--------|----------|
| **20%** | **Marked** limitation of motion — less than 5 degrees of dorsiflexion, or less than 10 degrees of plantar flexion. |
| **10%** | **Moderate** limitation of motion — less than 15 degrees of dorsiflexion, or less than 30 degrees of plantar flexion. |

## What the VA Looks For

When rating limited motion of the ankle, the VA focuses on **how much the ankle's range of motion is reduced**, measured in degrees of dorsiflexion and plantar flexion:

- A **moderate** limitation (10%) is characterized by less than 15 degrees of dorsiflexion or less than 30 degrees of plantar flexion.
- A **marked** limitation (20%) reflects a greater restriction — less than 5 degrees of dorsiflexion or less than 10 degrees of plantar flexion.

These evaluations fall under **38 CFR § 4.71a**, the section of federal regulations governing ratings for the musculoskeletal system.

---

*This information is provided for general educational purposes and is drawn directly from the VA rating schedule for Diagnostic Code 5271.*

Source: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.71a