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Ankle injuries are extremely common among service members, with the incidence of ankle sprains 5 times greater than among civilians. Additionally, other conditions can also cause ankle instability, stiffness and pain. Each can be rated differently and potentially combined into a higher disability rating. 

What Is the VA Disability Rating for Ankle Pain?

The VA assigns a rating from 20% to 40% for ankylosis of the ankle (diagnostic code 5270) or residual weakness and pain from ankle replacement, while limited motion of the ankle (diagnostic code 5271) and other ankle disabilities are rated at 10% or 20%. 

VA Ratings for Ankle Ankylosis (Diagnostic Code 5270) 

Ankylosis means that the ankle joint becomes stiff and immobile because the bones that form the joint fuse together, preventing normal movement. This can result from severe arthritis, injury, surgery, or prolonged immobilization. 

  • 40% Rating: Ankylosis in plantar flexion at more than 40 degrees, or in dorsiflexion at more than 10 degrees, or with abduction, adduction, inversion, or eversion deformity  
  • 30% Rating: Ankylosis in plantar flexion between 30 and 40 degrees, or in dorsiflexion between 0 and 10 degrees 
  • 20% Rating: Ankylosis in plantar flexion less than 30 degrees 

To qualify for these ratings, medical evidence must show complete immobility of the ankle joint, not just limited motion. 

VA Ratings for Limited Motion of the Ankle (Diagnostic Code 5271) 

This diagnostic code is what the VA most frequently uses for ankle conditions. It evaluates how well the veteran can move the ankle, based on how restricted the range of motion is. 

  • 20% Rating: Marked (less than 5 degrees dorsiflexion or less than 10 degrees plantar flexion) 
  • 10% Rating: Moderate (less than 15 degrees dorsiflexion or less than 30 degrees plantar flexion)  

Subastragalar or Tarsal Joint Ankylosis VA Ratings (Diagnostic Code 5272) 

This applies when the smaller joints underneath the main ankle joint (the subastragalar or tarsal joints) become stiff and immobile. 

  • 20% Rating: Ankylosis in poor weight-bearing position 
  • 10% Rating: Ankylosis in good weight-bearing position

The “weight-bearing position” refers to whether the foot can be placed flat on the ground when standing. Poor weight-bearing position means the foot cannot be properly positioned for normal standing and walking. 

Os Calcis or Astragalus Malunion VA Ratings (Diagnostic Code 5273) 

Malunion occurs when a fracture heals in an abnormal position. The os calcis (calcaneus) is the heel bone, and the astragalus (talus) is the ankle bone that connects to the leg bones.  

  • 20% Rating: Marked deformity 
  • 10% Rating: Moderate deformity

The VA evaluates the degree of deformity based on X-rays, physical examination, and functional impact. A marked deformity usually forces the veteran to walk abnormally and makes it difficult to find comfortable footwear. 

Astragalectomy VA Rating (Diagnostic Code 5274) 

The VA assigns an automatic 20% rating for the (relatively rare) surgical procedure that removes the astragalus (also called talus). 

Ankle Replacement VA Ratings (Diagnostic Code 5056) 

  • 100% – For 1 year following implantation of prosthesis
  • 40% – With chronic residuals consisting of severe painful motion or weakness
  • 20% to 40% – With intermediate degrees of residual weakness, pain or limitation of motion (rated by analogy to diagnostic codes 5270 or 5271)
  • 20% – Minimum rating for ankle replacement

Bilateral Ankle Ratings

If you have service-connected disabilities affecting both ankles, you may qualify for a higher rating thanks to VA’s bilateral factor. The VA recognizes that having conditions that affect matching limbs creates a greater overall disability than the simple sum of individual ratings – and applies a small increase to the combined rating.  

How the Bilateral Factor Works

  • The VA adds 10% of the combined value of the bilateral disabilities 
  • This is not simply adding 10% to your overall rating percentage 
  • The bilateral factor is applied before combining these ratings with your other service-connected conditions 

For example, if you have a 20% rating for your right ankle and a 10% rating for your left ankle, the combined value would be 28% (not 30%, due to VA’s Combined Ratings Table). The bilateral factor adds 10% of 28%, which is 2.8%, resulting in a 30.8% rating, which rounds to 31%, unlocking additional compensation for a veteran who otherwise would have only received 20% disability benefits. 

To get a bilateral ankle disability rating, both ankle disabilities must be service-connected. They can have different diagnostic codes (e.g., limited motion in one ankle and ankylosis in the other). 

Bilateral ratings are automatic for qualifying bilateral conditions. Use our VA disability calculator to check the combined rating.  

Service Connecting Ankle Disability

To obtain a VA rating for an ankle disability, the most common method is to establish a direct service connection. This requires meeting three essential criteria:

  1. Current Diagnosis: You must have a recent diagnosis of ankle disability confirmed by a medical professional. 
  2. In-Service Occurrence or Aggravation: You must identify an event, injury, or series of incidents during active duty that caused or worsened your condition. Examples include: rolling your ankle during training, marches or runs, ankle sprains or other injuries sustained in combat, slips or falls while performing duties. 
  3. Medical Nexus: A medical professional must provide evidence linking the in-service occurrence or aggravation to your current ankle disability. 

Secondary Service Connection

You may also qualify for a VA rating by proving a secondary service connection. This occurs when an ankle disability develops as a result of another service-connected condition.

Example: If you sustained a service-connected right foot fracture and later developed an ankle disability in your left ankle due to overcompensating for the injury, you may qualify for a secondary service connection. A medical opinion linking the two conditions would be critical to establishing this connection.

Secondary Conditions That Can Cause Ankle Instability and Pain

Service Connection by Aggravation

If you had an ankle injury or disability before entering active service, you may still be eligible for VA disability benefits if your military service worsened the condition. 

Example: The rigorous physical demands of military training, deployments, or combat could aggravate a pre-existing ankle injury. In such cases, you can establish a service connection by aggravation, which is recognized by the VA as a valid claim. To succeed, you’ll need medical evidence showing that your condition worsened beyond its natural progression due to your time in service.

Obtaining a Higher VA Disability Rating for Ankle Pain

If your ankle condition has worsened since your initial rating, request an increase by filing VA Form 21-526EZ, including statements from physicians and X-rays, MRIs, or CT scans that show deterioration in the ankle. 

You can also seek assistance from an accredited VA lawyer who can fight on your behalf. Get a free, no-obligation case evaluation here →

VA Secondary Conditions to Ankle Pain

Additional conditions often occur alongside ankle disabilities, potentially leading to a higher combined rating. Common secondary conditions include:

If these conditions are service-connected or related to ankle pain, the VA may increase your overall disability rating accordingly. 

Content Reviewed by

Brenda Duplantis

Brenda Duplantis, Accredited Claims Agent Avatar

Brenda Duplantis is a Accredited Claims Agent with a solid background in Social Security Disability Law and Veterans Law. She has been helping clients at Hill & Ponton with disability claims since 1991. Brenda is a member of the National Organization of Veterans’ Advocates.

Written by

Claire Szewczyk

Claire Szewczyk is a Digital Content Coordinator for Hill & Ponton, PA in Florida. She was a former US Airforce civilian employee, who worked at Hill Air Force Base, in Layton, UT as a flight testing administrator. She has also spent several years working with the Department of Veterans Affairs audiology programs in Salt Lake City, UT and Pocatello, ID. She enjoys working with the Veteran population and keeping them up to date with information they need the most.