VASRD 5271 · Musculoskeletal System
Ankle, Limitation of Motion VA Disability Rating
Reduced ability to flex or extend the ankle, usually due to injury or arthritis.
VA Rating Tiers
How the VA Evaluates Ankle, Limitation of Motion
Since the 2021 rewrite this code is decided by two goniometer numbers rather than by an examiner's adjective. "Moderate" limitation means less than 15° of dorsiflexion or less than 30° of plantar flexion and rates 10 percent; "marked" limitation means less than 5° of dorsiflexion or less than 10° of plantar flexion and rates 20 percent. Either measurement on its own can meet a tier, so both directions of motion have to be recorded. An ankle that is fixed rather than merely restricted is ankylosis and is rated under DC 5270 instead.
Approval outlook
Moderate (~50%) when ROM is documented.
Veterans service-connected
1,273,110 veterans
Typical rating awarded
~10%
Veterans service-connected count from the VBA Annual Benefits Report (FY2025), as of September 30, 2025. Approval outlook and typical rating are Vetrify editorial estimates — not official VA statistics.
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Best Evidence to Gather
- •An orthopedic exam specifically documenting range-of-motion measurements.
- •X-rays or an MRI showing the underlying cause of the limitation.
Strategy Tips
- •Make sure BOTH dorsiflexion and plantar flexion are measured and recorded in degrees. Either measurement on its own can meet a tier, so an exam that records only one direction can leave the higher evaluation unsupported.
- •Ask that the goniometric readings appear as numbers in the exam report rather than as an adjective, since the schedule defines "moderate" and "marked" in degrees and the adjective on its own is not what the criteria are keyed to.
- •If the ankle is fixed rather than merely restricted, that is ankylosis and is rated under DC 5270, not here.
C&P Exam Pitfalls
- •Not using a goniometer during the exam, which is the standard tool for measuring the degree of limitation this code rates.
- •No repeat range-of-motion testing, which can miss how much the ankle's function varies.
Common Filing Mistakes
- •Not showing the actual severity of the limitation with specific measurements, leaving the exam to rely on a general impression.
- •No ROM numbers listed in the evidence, since these numbers are what separates the two rating tiers.
Onset Patterns
- •Limited ankle motion commonly follows an injury like a sprain or fracture, or develops from arthritis-related degeneration in the joint over time.
Secondary Conditions
Conditions commonly linked to Ankle, Limitation of Motion. Service-connecting a secondary condition can increase your combined rating.
Common Among These Military Jobs
Military occupational specialties (MOS) where Ankle, Limitation of Motion is frequently claimed.
Common questions about Ankle, Limitation of Motion
- Is Ankle, Limitation of Motion a VA-rated disability?
- Yes. The VA rates Ankle, Limitation of Motion under VASRD diagnostic code 5271 (Musculoskeletal System). Reduced ability to flex or extend the ankle, usually due to injury or arthritis.
- What VA disability rating can I get for Ankle, Limitation of Motion?
- Possible VA ratings for Ankle, Limitation of Motion are 20%, 10%. Examples: 20%: The ankle barely flexes: it cannot pull the foot up past about 5 degrees, or point it down past about 10.; 10%: The ankle has lost a noticeable part of its motion: under about 15 degrees pulling the foot up, or under about 30 pointing it…
- What's the typical VA rating awarded for Ankle, Limitation of Motion?
- Vetrify estimates the typical rating awarded for Ankle, Limitation of Motion at around 10%, based on VA claims data and the rating schedule. Per the VBA Annual Benefits Report (FY2025), 1,273,110 veterans were receiving VA compensation for Ankle, Limitation of Motion as of September 30, 2025. Estimated approval outloo…
- What evidence helps prove Ankle, Limitation of Motion for VA disability?
- Strong evidence for a Ankle, Limitation of Motion claim includes: An orthopedic exam specifically documenting range-of-motion measurements.; X-rays or an MRI showing the underlying cause of the limitation..
- What mistakes should veterans avoid when claiming Ankle, Limitation of Motion?
- Common pitfalls when filing for Ankle, Limitation of Motion: Not showing the actual severity of the limitation with specific measurements, leaving the exam to rely on a general impression.; No ROM numbers listed in the evidence, since these numbers are what separates the two rating tiers..
- What conditions are commonly secondary to Ankle, Limitation of Motion?
- Conditions often service-connected as secondary to Ankle, Limitation of Motion include: Knee Pain, Plantar Fasciitis. Filing for secondary conditions can increase a veteran's combined VA rating.
Official sources
- 38 CFR § 4.71a — Schedule of ratings — musculoskeletal system (Diagnostic Code 5271)
- VBA Annual Benefits Report (FY2025) — veterans service-connected count, as of September 30, 2025
Rating criteria on this page are an educational summary of the cited regulation — the eCFR text is authoritative. See how Vetrify derives its numbers.
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