★ Musculoskeletal
Flat Feet (Pes Planus) VA Rating
38 CFR § 4.71a, Diagnostic Code 5276
Overview
Pes planus must usually be aggravated by service (most veterans had asymptomatic flat feet at enlistment).
Painful motion, callosities, swelling on use, and inward bowing of the Achilles tendon are key examiner findings.
In Depth
Acquired flatfoot is evaluated under DC 5276 in 38 CFR § 4.71a. The code is written around clinical findings rather than imaging alone — objective evidence of marked deformity, pain on manipulation and use, swelling on use, characteristic callosities, and whether the condition improves with orthopedic shoes or appliances — and it distinguishes unilateral from bilateral involvement at each severity level.
Congenital flat feet present a separate issue. 38 CFR § 3.303(c) provides that congenital or developmental defects are not diseases or injuries for compensation purposes; however, VA General Counsel opinions distinguish a congenital DEFECT from a congenital DISEASE, and a preexisting condition aggravated by service is addressed by 38 CFR § 3.306 and the presumption of soundness at 38 CFR § 3.304(b).
Where flatfoot is not the primary disability, VA may evaluate related foot pathology under other codes — DC 5277 through DC 5284 cover weak foot, claw foot, metatarsalgia, hallux valgus, hammer toe, malunion of the tarsal or metatarsal bones, and other foot injuries — subject to the anti-pyramiding rule at § 4.14.
How to Establish Service Connection
- Aggravation: pre-existing flat feet made worse during service is the most common path.
- Direct: post-service onset documented during military medical care.
Rating Criteria
Paraphrased from 38 CFR § 4.71a, Diagnostic Code 5276
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 0% | Mild; symptoms relieved by built-up shoe or arch support. |
| 10% | Moderate; weight-bearing line over or medial to great toe, inward bowing of tendo Achillis, pain on manipulation. |
| 20% / 30% | Severe (20% unilateral / 30% bilateral); marked deformity, accentuated pain on manipulation, swelling on use, characteristic callosities. |
| 30% / 50% | Pronounced (30% unilateral / 50% bilateral); marked pronation, extreme tenderness, marked inward displacement, severe spasm of tendo Achillis on manipulation, NOT improved by orthopedic shoes. |
See what each percentage pays in 2026 and how it combines with your current rating →
Evidence Checklist
- Pre-enlistment exam (to show aggravation).
- Imaging.
- Podiatry notes describing severity.
Evidence Templates
Common formats of evidence the VA looks for in this type of claim. These describe what the documents typically include — they are not legal forms or medical opinions, and Oakridge Claims does not draft them.
Range-of-motion measurements (goniometer findings)
Treatment notes or examination reports recording measured motion in degrees. 38 CFR § 4.59 and the Correia v. McDonald framework contemplate testing in active motion, passive motion, weight-bearing, and non-weight-bearing where applicable.
Imaging reports (X-ray, MRI, CT)
Radiology reports identifying the underlying pathology. Several diagnostic codes in 38 CFR § 4.71a require X-ray confirmation of arthritis before a compensable evaluation applies.
Treatment records showing flare-up frequency
Contemporaneous clinical notes documenting when the condition worsens, how long it lasts, and any prescribed rest, bracing, or activity restriction. DeLuca v. Brown addresses functional loss during flare-ups.
Evidence VA Commonly Cites in These Claims
Descriptive summary of evidence types frequently referenced in rating decisions for this condition. Not a checklist of actions to take — every claim is decided on its own facts.
- ★The clinical findings named in DC 5276 — deformity, pain on manipulation and use, swelling, callosities, and response to orthopedic appliances — are what examination reports are measured against.
- ★For an aggravation theory, entrance examination records and in-service treatment records are the documents § 3.306 and § 3.304(b) analysis turns on.
- ★Prescriptions and receipts for orthotics or corrective footwear document what treatment has been used and its effect.
- ★Bilateral involvement should be documented for each foot, since the code's tiers differ for unilateral and bilateral disability.
Common pitfalls VA sees
- Assuming any noted flat feet at entrance permanently bars service connection, when § 3.306 addresses in-service aggravation.
- Submitting imaging alone when DC 5276 is built primarily around clinical findings on use.
- Claiming multiple overlapping foot codes for one symptom set, given § 4.14.
Common Secondary Conditions
Conditions frequently service-connected as secondary to Flat Feet (Pes Planus):
Frequently Asked Questions
Have a Flat Feet (Pes Planus) claim or denial?
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Requesting a consultation does not create representation and is not a guarantee of any outcome. Representation begins only after a written fee agreement and VA Form 21-22a are signed.
Educational content only — not legal advice and not medical advice. Rating criteria on this page are summarized in plain English from 38 CFR Part 4; consult VA.gov or the current Code of Federal Regulations for official criteria. This page provides general education about how the VA rates this condition; it is not individualized advice, does not establish a representation relationship, and should not be used to self-diagnose, self-treat, or decide a course of action without speaking to a qualified clinician and a VA-accredited representative. Outcomes depend on each veteran's individual facts, evidence, and the adjudicator's judgment; no specific rating, effective date, or other result is guaranteed. Oakridge Claims is a private business and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by the US Department of Veterans Affairs.