VASRD 5276 · Musculoskeletal System
Flatfoot, Acquired VA Disability Rating
Fallen arches causing foot pain, imbalance, and difficulty walking.
VA Rating Tiers
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 50% | Both feet are severely collapsed and painful, the Achilles tendon spasms when the foot is moved, and orthopedic shoes or inserts do not help. |
| 30% | One foot is severely collapsed and unresponsive to orthopedic shoes, or both feet show marked deformity with accentuated pain, swelling on use and characteristic callouses. |
| 20% | One foot shows marked deformity with accentuated pain, swelling on use and characteristic callouses. |
| 10% | The arch has dropped enough that the weight line falls over or inside the big toe and the Achilles tendon bows inward, with pain on use — in one foot or both. |
| 0% | The symptoms go away with a built-up shoe or an arch support, which the schedule rates at 0 percent. |
How the VA Evaluates Flatfoot, Acquired
Two things decide the evaluation: how the schedule grades the deformity, and whether one foot or both are affected. Mild flatfoot relieved by a built-up shoe or arch support rates 0 percent. Moderate flatfoot — weight-bearing line over or medial to the great toe, inward bowing of the tendo achillis, pain on manipulation and use — rates 10 percent whether it is one foot or both. Severe flatfoot — marked deformity, accentuated pain on manipulation and use, swelling on use, characteristic callosities — rates 20 percent for one foot and 30 percent for both. Pronounced flatfoot — marked pronation, extreme tenderness of the plantar surfaces, marked inward displacement and severe spasm of the tendo achillis on manipulation, not improved by orthopedic shoes or appliances — rates 30 percent for one foot and 50 percent for both. Because "severe bilateral" and "pronounced unilateral" both pay 30 percent, whether the exam records one foot or two can matter as much as the grading itself.
Approval outlook
Moderate (~50%) with confirmed gait issues.
Veterans service-connected
600,665 veterans
Typical rating awarded
~20%
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
- •A podiatry diagnosis confirming the condition and its severity.
- •X-rays and gait analysis documenting the arch collapse and its functional impact.
Strategy Tips
- •Describe daily activities impacted by the condition (walking, standing, uniform footwear), since functional impact adds important context to the clinical severity grading.
- •Submit photos or X-rays showing the arch collapsing during weight-bearing specifically, since flatfoot symptoms are often most apparent under load.
C&P Exam Pitfalls
- •Using orthotic inserts but claiming symptoms as if untreated, which can create an inconsistency between reported severity and documented management.
- •Overlooking whether the condition is bilateral or unilateral, since this distinction significantly changes the rating tier.
Common Filing Mistakes
- •Lacking a podiatry exam to properly characterize the condition's severity.
- •Not differentiating between the left and right foot when only one side is more severely affected.
Onset Patterns
- •Acquired flatfoot typically develops over time from overuse, repetitive impact, or footwear that didn't adequately support the arch during service.
Secondary Conditions
Conditions commonly linked to Flatfoot, Acquired. Service-connecting a secondary condition can increase your combined rating.
Common questions about Flatfoot, Acquired
- Is Flatfoot, Acquired a VA-rated disability?
- Yes. The VA rates Flatfoot, Acquired under VASRD diagnostic code 5276 (Musculoskeletal System). Fallen arches causing foot pain, imbalance, and difficulty walking.
- What VA disability rating can I get for Flatfoot, Acquired?
- Possible VA ratings for Flatfoot, Acquired are 50%, 30%, 20%, 10%, 0%. Examples: 50%: Both feet are severely collapsed and painful, the Achilles tendon spasms when the foot is moved, and orthopedic shoes or inserts do not help.; 30%: One foot is severely collapsed and unresponsive to orthopedic shoes, or both feet sho…
- What's the typical VA rating awarded for Flatfoot, Acquired?
- Vetrify estimates the typical rating awarded for Flatfoot, Acquired at around 20%, based on VA claims data and the rating schedule. Per the VBA Annual Benefits Report (FY2025), 600,665 veterans were receiving VA compensation for Flatfoot, Acquired as of September 30, 2025. Estimated approval outlook: Moderate (~50%) w…
- What evidence helps prove Flatfoot, Acquired for VA disability?
- Strong evidence for a Flatfoot, Acquired claim includes: A podiatry diagnosis confirming the condition and its severity.; X-rays and gait analysis documenting the arch collapse and its functional impact..
- What mistakes should veterans avoid when claiming Flatfoot, Acquired?
- Common pitfalls when filing for Flatfoot, Acquired: Lacking a podiatry exam to properly characterize the condition's severity.; Not differentiating between the left and right foot when only one side is more severely affected..
- What conditions are commonly secondary to Flatfoot, Acquired?
- Conditions often service-connected as secondary to Flatfoot, Acquired 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 5276)
- 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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