VA rates limited motion of the ankle under Diagnostic Code 5271 (38 CFR 4.71a): moderate limitation is 10%, marked limitation is 20%. A fully fused (ankylosed) ankle rates higher under a separate code. The ankle is often claimed directly from an in-service injury — or as a secondary when an altered gait from a knee or back condition overloads it.
Straight talk first
Ankles get hurt constantly in service — sprains, jumps, ruck marches, fractures — and then get left off the claim because "it's just an ankle." But limited motion rates 10% or 20%, both ankles can be rated, and a bad ankle frequently traces back to how you've been walking on a service-connected knee or back. The key is a clean range-of-motion exam that captures your real limits and pain, plus claiming the right cause.
This is the ankle cut of how VA rates conditions.
How the rating works (DC 5271)
| Limitation of ankle motion | Rating |
|---|---|
| Moderate | 10% |
| Marked | 20% |
It's based on reduced dorsiflexion (foot up) and plantar flexion (foot down); "marked" means substantially less motion than "moderate." A completely ankylosed ankle (fused in place) is rated higher under a separate code based on the fixed position.
Painful motion counts
Under VA's functional-loss rules, painful motion and flare-ups that further limit use should be reflected in the rating — not just the raw degrees on a good day. Make sure the C&P exam notes pain on motion and what happens during flare-ups; this is where ankle ratings are commonly undervalued.
Direct or secondary?
- Direct — an in-service sprain, fracture, or repetitive overuse.
- Secondary — an altered gait from a service-connected knee or back changing how you load the ankle, under 38 CFR 3.310.
You'll need a current diagnosis, the in-service event or primary condition, and a nexus. See how to file your own claim.
Both ankles and the bilateral factor
Each ankle is rated separately, and since ankles are paired lower extremities, the bilateral factor (38 CFR 4.26) can add value when both are service-connected. Run two ankles through the VA Combined Rating Calculator so you don't undercount.
Key takeaways
- Ankle limited motion is 10% (moderate) or 20% (marked) under DC 5271; ankylosis rates higher.
- Painful motion and flare-ups should be captured at the exam — that's where ankle ratings get undervalued.
- Claim it directly or as a secondary to a knee/back via altered gait.
- Both ankles can be rated, with a possible bilateral-factor bump.
Frequently asked questions
- How does VA rate an ankle condition?
- Limited motion of the ankle is rated under Diagnostic Code 5271 (38 CFR 4.71a): moderate limitation is 10% and marked limitation is 20%. A completely fused (ankylosed) ankle is rated higher under a separate code, based on the position it's fixed in.
- What counts as 'moderate' vs 'marked' ankle limitation?
- It's based on how much your ankle motion is reduced — dorsiflexion (foot up) and plantar flexion (foot down). Marked limitation means substantially less motion than moderate. The C&P exam measures your range in degrees, and painful motion should be accounted for, so make sure the exam captures your real limits and flare-ups.
- Can an ankle be a secondary condition?
- Yes. An ankle can be claimed directly (an in-service sprain, fracture, or overuse) or as a secondary — for example, an altered gait from a service-connected knee or back changing how you load the ankle, under 38 CFR 3.310. The cause decides the lane.
- Can both ankles be rated?
- Yes. Each ankle is rated separately under DC 5271, and because ankles are paired lower extremities, the bilateral factor (38 CFR 4.26) can add value when both are service-connected.
Sources
- 38 CFR 4.71a — schedule of ratings, musculoskeletal system (DC 5271, ankle): https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/38/4.71a
- 38 CFR 4.40 / 4.45 / 4.59 — functional loss and painful motion: https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/38/4.59
- 38 CFR 3.310 — secondary service connection: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-3/subpart-A/section-3.310
- 38 CFR 4.26 — the bilateral factor: https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/38/4.26
- VA — How VA decides service connection: https://www.va.gov/disability/eligibility/
