VASRD 5310 · Musculoskeletal System
Muscle Group X - Intrinsic Muscles of the Foot VA Disability Rating
Injury to the small muscles inside the foot itself — the ones that move the forefoot and toes and give the push-off in walking.
VA Rating Tiers
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 30% | Severe damage to the muscles in the sole of the foot. |
| 20% | Moderately severe damage in the sole, or severe damage on the top of the foot. |
| 10% | Moderate damage in the sole, or moderate to moderately severe damage on top — and the floor for a wound that passes right through the foot. |
| 0% | Slight damage — service-connected, but below the level the schedule pays for. |
How the VA Evaluates Muscle Group X - Intrinsic Muscles of the Foot
Under 38 CFR 4.73, DC 5310 rates injury of Muscle Group X: the intrinsic muscles of the foot, whose stated function is movement of the forefoot and toes and propulsion thrust in walking. The code is printed as two sub-tables. For the plantar structures — the flexor digitorum brevis, abductor hallucis, abductor digiti minimi, quadratus plantae, lumbricales, flexor hallucis brevis, adductor hallucis, flexor digiti minimi brevis and the interossei, together with the plantar aponeurosis, the long plantar and calcaneonavicular ligaments and the tendons crossing the sole — the scale is severe 30 percent, moderately severe 20 percent, moderate 10 percent and slight 0 percent. For the dorsal structures — the extensor hallucis brevis and extensor digitorum brevis, with the cruciate, crural, deltoid and other ligaments and the tendons of the long toe extensors and peronei — the scale is severe 20 percent, moderately severe 10 percent, moderate 10 percent and slight 0 percent, so a dorsal injury does not reach 30. A note closing the code sets a minimum evaluation of 10 percent for through-and-through wounds of the foot.
Approval outlook
Moderate (~50%) if physical limitations are documented.
Veterans service-connected
~2,000 veterans
Typical rating awarded
~10%
Vetrify editorial estimates informed by VA published claims data (VBA Annual Benefits Report) and the VA rating schedule — not official VA statistics.
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Best Evidence to Gather
- •Orthopedic notes and physical therapy records documenting the muscle injury.
- •Imaging showing muscle injury or atrophy.
Strategy Tips
- •Mention the impact on walking, running, or standing specifically, since functional impact is what distinguishes the rating tiers beyond a general injury description.
- •Include physical therapy reports documenting strength and function over time.
C&P Exam Pitfalls
- •Not describing functional limits clearly during the exam.
- •No strength or gait documentation, which is central to how this rating is determined.
Common Filing Mistakes
- •Claiming pain without showing an actual loss of motion or strength.
- •No detailed exam to establish the injury's severity.
Onset Patterns
- •This condition commonly follows sprains, fractures, or tendon injuries affecting the muscles of the foot.
Secondary Conditions
Conditions commonly linked to Muscle Group X - Intrinsic Muscles of the Foot. Service-connecting a secondary condition can increase your combined rating.
Common questions about Muscle Group X - Intrinsic Muscles of the Foot
- Is Muscle Group X - Intrinsic Muscles of the Foot a VA-rated disability?
- Yes. The VA rates Muscle Group X - Intrinsic Muscles of the Foot under VASRD diagnostic code 5310 (Musculoskeletal System). Injury to the small muscles inside the foot itself — the ones that move the forefoot and toes and give the push-off in walking.
- What VA disability rating can I get for Muscle Group X - Intrinsic Muscles of the Foot?
- Possible VA ratings for Muscle Group X - Intrinsic Muscles of the Foot are 30%, 20%, 10%, 0%. Examples: 30%: Severe damage to the muscles in the sole of the foot.; 20%: Moderately severe damage in the sole, or severe damage on the top of the foot.; 10%: Moderate damage in the sole, or moderate to moderately severe dam…
- What's the typical VA rating awarded for Muscle Group X - Intrinsic Muscles of the Foot?
- Vetrify estimates the typical rating awarded for Muscle Group X - Intrinsic Muscles of the Foot at around 10%, based on VA claims data and the rating schedule. An estimated 2,000 veterans are service-connected for Muscle Group X - Intrinsic Muscles of the Foot. Estimated approval outlook: Moderate (~50%) if physical l…
- What evidence helps prove Muscle Group X - Intrinsic Muscles of the Foot for VA disability?
- Strong evidence for a Muscle Group X - Intrinsic Muscles of the Foot claim includes: Orthopedic notes and physical therapy records documenting the muscle injury.; Imaging showing muscle injury or atrophy..
- What mistakes should veterans avoid when claiming Muscle Group X - Intrinsic Muscles of the Foot?
- Common pitfalls when filing for Muscle Group X - Intrinsic Muscles of the Foot: Claiming pain without showing an actual loss of motion or strength.; No detailed exam to establish the injury's severity..
- What conditions are commonly secondary to Muscle Group X - Intrinsic Muscles of the Foot?
- Conditions often service-connected as secondary to Muscle Group X - Intrinsic Muscles of the Foot include: Plantar Fasciitis, Knee Pain. Filing for secondary conditions can increase a veteran's combined VA rating.
Official sources
- 38 CFR § 4.73 — Schedule of ratings — muscle injuries (Diagnostic Code 5310)
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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