YOUR CONDITION, EXPLAINED
Loss of Use of One Foot VA disability rating & claim guide
The VA rates Loss of Use of One Foot under diagnostic code 5167, in 38 CFR § 4.71a (musculoskeletal system), and the schedule provides a single evaluation under it: 40%.
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A CLEARER PATH FORWARD
Make sense of your next step.
01Understand the rating02Know what to gather03Plan your preparationTHE ESSENTIALS
How the VA rates Loss of Use of One Foot
This code applies when a foot is still physically present but no longer functions well enough for effective walking or balance, essentially treating the functional loss the same as if the foot had been amputated. It's a strict, single-tier standard - the foot has to be functionally unusable, not just painful or weak.
Determined when no effective function remains despite motion or brace – often based on VA examination.
- Diagnostic code
- 5167
- Rating schedule
- 38 CFR § 4.71a
- Schedule levels
- 40%
How does the VA choose a rating level?
There is no higher or lower step inside this code: a rating decision either finds its criteria met or it does not. Where they are not met, 38 CFR § 4.31 assigns a 0% evaluation: service connection granted, at a level that does not pay.
EXPLORE THE PERCENTAGES
Loss of Use of One Foot VA rating criteria (DC 5167)
This condition has one published rating level. Read the criteria, then explore the details and monthly pay.
These are published rating criteria. Selecting a level does not predict your VA decision.
BUILD YOUR EVIDENCE, ONE PIECE AT A TIME
Evidence for your Loss of Use of One Foot claim
A long list feels easier when you have a place to start. Use this checklist to see what you have and what still needs gathering.
Check off what you’ve gathered. Progress stays on this page until you leave or refresh.
THE EXAM FORM
Which DBQ is used for Loss of Use of One Foot?
VA publishes its questionnaires by body system; find the one for this condition on VA's list.
Source: VA: Public Disability Benefits Questionnaires (DBQs), read September 18, 2026.
SMALL DETAILS. BETTER PREPARATION.
Preparing your Loss of Use of One Foot claim
Start with the practical tips, then explore the common oversights. You don’t need to work through everything at once.
Practical tips for your claim2 tips
- 01
Submit gait testing and rehabilitation notes together, since this rating depends on demonstrating genuine functional loss, not just a diagnosis or pain complaint.
- 02
Document all mobility tools in use, such as a wheelchair, scooter, or ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) brace, since consistent reliance on these devices supports the claim that the foot can't be effectively used.
C&P exam pitfalls to keep in mind2 tips
- 01
Overstating remaining function during the exam, which can undermine a genuinely severe claim.
- 02
Lack of gait analysis or documented assistive device use to support the functional-loss standard.
Common filing mistakes2 tips
- 01
Not describing daily mobility limits in concrete detail.
- 02
No confirmation of assistive device use, which is important evidence for this strict functional standard.
When symptoms may first appear1 tips
- 01
This condition typically results from severe nerve, muscle, or joint injury that leaves the foot structurally present but functionally unusable.
THE BROADER PICTURE
Loss of Use of One Foot by the numbers
- Approval outlook
- High – especially when supported by use of cane, AFO brace, or scooter.
- Veterans service-connected
- ~2,900 veterans
- Typical rating awarded
- ~40%
Vetrify editorial estimates informed by VA published claims data (VBA Annual Benefits Report) and the VA rating schedule, not official VA statistics.
LET’S CLEAR A FEW THINGS UP
Common questions about Loss of Use of One Foot
Is Loss of Use of One Foot a VA-rated disability?
Yes. The VA rates Loss of Use of One Foot under VASRD diagnostic code 5167 (Musculoskeletal System). This code applies when a foot is still physically present but no longer functions well enough for effective walking or balance, essentially treating the functional loss the same as if the foot had been amputated. It's a strict, single-tier standard - the foot has to be functionally unusable, not just painful or weak.
What VA disability rating can I get for Loss of Use of One Foot?
Possible VA ratings for Loss of Use of One Foot are 40%, 0%. The 0% level comes from 38 CFR 4.31, which assigns it wherever no compensable level is met. Examples: 40%: Foot, loss of use of.
What's the typical VA rating awarded for Loss of Use of One Foot?
Vetrify estimates the typical rating awarded for Loss of Use of One Foot at around 40%, based on VA claims data and the rating schedule. An estimated 2,900 veterans are service-connected for Loss of Use of One Foot. Estimated approval outlook: High – especially when supported by use of cane, AFO brace, or scooter.
What evidence helps prove Loss of Use of One Foot for VA disability?
Strong evidence for a Loss of Use of One Foot claim includes: A VA exam specifically documenting the inability to balance or walk on the foot; Physical therapy documentation showing attempted rehabilitation and its results; Records of orthotic brace or wheelchair use.
What mistakes should veterans avoid when claiming Loss of Use of One Foot?
Common pitfalls when filing for Loss of Use of One Foot: Not describing daily mobility limits in concrete detail; No confirmation of assistive device use, which is important evidence for this strict functional standard.
Official sources
- 38 CFR § 4.71a, Schedule of ratings, musculoskeletal system (Diagnostic Code 5167)
- 38 CFR § 4.31, zero percent evaluations
Criteria in quotation marks are the regulation’s own words; everything else on this page is Vetrify’s summary of it. The eCFR text is authoritative. See how Vetrify derives its numbers.
How these figures are checked: our methodology and the open dataset.
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