★ Musculoskeletal
Tibia and Fibula Impairment VA Rating (DC 5262)
38 CFR § 4.71a, Diagnostic Code 5262
Overview
This code covers the lower leg bones rather than the knee joint itself, but it is graded by the knee or ankle disability the bone deformity produces.
Malunion means the fracture healed in a poor position; nonunion means it did not heal.
Because the code measures downstream joint disability, it commonly appears alongside knee or ankle evaluations — with § 4.14 preventing duplicate compensation for the same impairment.
The 40% level requires nonunion with loose motion requiring a brace.
How to Establish Service Connection
- Direct: in-service tibia or fibula fracture, stress fracture, or blast injury documented in the service treatment records.
- Progression: deformity or nonunion developing from a service-connected leg fracture.
- Secondary under 38 CFR § 3.310: knee or ankle disability attributed to the bone deformity, or the reverse.
Rating Criteria
Paraphrased from 38 CFR § 4.71a, Diagnostic Code 5262
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 10% | Malunion of the tibia and fibula with slight knee or ankle disability. |
| 20% | Malunion with moderate knee or ankle disability. |
| 30% | Malunion with marked knee or ankle disability. |
| 40% | Nonunion of the tibia and fibula with loose motion, requiring a brace. |
See what each percentage pays in 2026 and how it combines with your current rating →
Evidence Checklist
- X-rays or CT imaging showing angulation, shortening, malunion, or nonunion.
- Orthopedic notes describing the effect on the knee and ankle specifically.
- Records of bracing, hardware, or revision surgery.
- Leg-length measurements where shortening is present.
Common Secondary Conditions
Conditions frequently service-connected as secondary to Tibia and Fibula Impairment:
What the C&P Exam Documents
General information about how this condition is typically evaluated. This is not coaching on what to say and is not a substitute for medical or legal advice.
- →The examination should describe knee and ankle function separately, because those descriptions choose the tier under this code.
- →Stress fractures that healed poorly are easy to overlook in a file — the in-service imaging is usually the anchor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Useful Tools & Topics
Have a Tibia and Fibula Impairment claim or denial?
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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.
Related Conditions
Knee Conditions
Limitation of flexion/extension, instability, and meniscus ratings.
Ankle Conditions
Ankle limitation of motion, ankylosis, and instability.
Knee Ankylosis
A knee fixed in one position, rated 30%–60% by the angle of fixation under DC 5256.
Knee Arthritis (Degenerative / Traumatic)
X-ray confirmed knee arthritis rated under DC 5003/5010 when motion loss is non-compensable.