---
title: "DC 5283 - Tarsal, or metatarsal bones, malunion of, or nonunion of"
diagnostic_code: "5283"
body_system: "Musculoskeletal System"
cfr_section: "§ 4.71a"
canonical: "https://veteranai.co/va-rating-schedule/musculoskeletal/5283-tarsal-or-metatarsal-bones-malunion-of-or-nonunion-of"
source: "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.71a"
updated: "2026-07-21T02:55:52.050655Z"
---

# DC 5283 - Tarsal, or metatarsal bones, malunion of, or nonunion of

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

## Rating criteria

| Rating | Criteria |
| --- | --- |
| 30% | Severe |
| 20% | Moderately severe |
| 10% | Moderate |

## Notes

- Note: With actual loss of use of the foot, rate 40 percent.

# Malunion or Nonunion of the Tarsal or Metatarsal Bones (Diagnostic Code 5283)

*Musculoskeletal System — 38 CFR § 4.71a*

## Understanding This Condition

The tarsal and metatarsal bones are the bones that make up the midfoot and forefoot. When one of these bones breaks, it normally heals back into its proper position and alignment. Two things can go wrong during that healing process:

- **Malunion** — the bone heals, but in a poor or incorrect position.
- **Nonunion** — the bone fails to heal together at all.

Both outcomes can affect how the foot functions. Under VA Diagnostic Code 5283, the disability is evaluated based on the overall severity of the impairment.

## Available Rating Levels

The VA assigns a disability rating for this condition based on how severe the malunion or nonunion is:

| Rating | Severity |
|--------|----------|
| **30%** | Severe |
| **20%** | Moderately severe |
| **10%** | Moderate |

**Important note:** If there is **actual loss of use of the foot**, the condition is rated at **40 percent**.

## What the VA Looks For

When rating a malunion or nonunion of the tarsal or metatarsal bones, the VA focuses on the **severity** of the condition, placing it into one of three categories — moderate, moderately severe, or severe — with corresponding rating levels of 10%, 20%, and 30%.

The VA also considers whether the condition has resulted in the **actual loss of use of the foot**, which carries a higher rating of 40 percent.

---

*This information is provided for general educational purposes and reflects the rating criteria set out in 38 CFR § 4.71a for Diagnostic Code 5283. Every claim is evaluated on its own facts.*

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