Body system: Musculoskeletal SystemRegulation: 38 CFR § 4.71a
Diagnostic Code 5284 covers foot injuries that don't fit into other specific foot condition categories - things like chronic pain from old fractures, ligament damage, or unusual injuries that still cause ongoing problems. The VA rates these 'other' foot injuries at 10% for moderate symptoms, 20% for moderately severe, and 30% for severe impact on your daily activities. The rating depends on how much pain, stiffness, and functional limitation you experience, not just what the injury was originally.
Rating levels
- 40% — Other foot injuries with actual loss of use of the foot are rated 40%, per the note to §4.71a DC 5284.
- 30% — Your foot injury significantly interferes with your daily activities and causes substantial pain or functional problems. The injury might involve major limitations in walking, standing, or bearing weight, but you can still perform these activities with difficulty or discomfort.
- 20% — Your foot injury causes significant problems with walking, standing, or bearing weight, but you can still perform most daily activities with some difficulty. The pain, stiffness, limited movement, or structural damage to your foot creates moderate limitations in your ability to work or participate in physical activities, though it's not severe enough to be completely disabling.
- 10% — You have noticeable foot problems that interfere with your daily activities but don't severely limit your ability to walk or stand. This could include ongoing pain, some stiffness, occasional swelling, or mild difficulty with balance that makes certain activities uncomfortable but still manageable.