Group X. Function: Movements of forefoot and toes; propulsion thrust in walking. Intrinsic muscles of the foot: Plantar: Flexor digitorum brevis; abductor hallucis; abductor digiti minimi; quadratus plantae; lumbricales; flexor hallucis brevis; adductor hallucis; flexor digiti minimi brevis; dorsal and plantar interossei. Other important plantar structures: Plantar aponeurosis, long plantar and calcaneonavicular ligament, tendons of posterior tibial, peroneus longus, and long flexors of great and little toes (DC 5310)

Rating levels

• 30% — You qualify for this rating if the muscles on the SOLE (bottom) of your foot, called the plantar muscle group, have severe disability. The plantar muscles control toe flexion, spreading the toes, and the push-off (propulsion) phase of walking. Severe means major loss of strength and function during walking and standing, typically with significant scarring or muscle wasting and impaired propulsion at toe-off.
• 20% — You qualify for this rating if the muscles on the SOLE (bottom) of your foot have moderately severe disability. The plantar muscles control toe flexion, spreading the toes, and push-off in walking. Moderately severe means clear strength loss and noticeable impact on toe movement and the propulsion phase of walking, more than moderate but not yet severe.
• 10% — You qualify for this rating if the muscles on the SOLE (bottom) of your foot have moderate disability. The plantar muscles control toe flexion, spreading the toes, and push-off in walking. Moderate means measurable weakness or impairment that affects toe movement and walking propulsion but still leaves substantial function.
• 0% — You qualify for this rating if the muscles on the SOLE (bottom) of your foot have slight disability. The plantar muscles control toe flexion, spreading the toes, and push-off in walking. Slight means minor weakness or residual symptoms that barely affect toe movement or walking and do not meaningfully limit function.
• 20% — You qualify for this rating if the muscles on the TOP (dorsal surface) of your foot have severe disability. The dorsal muscles control toe extension (lifting the toes) along with the long-extensor tendons and peroneal muscle tendons that pass over the top of the foot. Severe means major loss of strength and function in lifting the toes during the swing phase of walking.
• 10% — You qualify for this rating if the muscles on the TOP (dorsal surface) of your foot have moderately severe disability. The dorsal muscles control toe extension and work with the long-extensor and peroneal tendons. Moderately severe means clear strength loss and noticeable impact on lifting the toes during walking. Note: at this tier, the Dorsal group rates 10% for both Moderately Severe and Moderate, the higher tier does not unlock a higher rating.
• 10% — You qualify for this rating if the muscles on the TOP (dorsal surface) of your foot have moderate disability. The dorsal muscles control toe extension and work with the long-extensor and peroneal tendons. Moderate means measurable weakness or impairment affecting toe lift during walking but still substantial function remains.
• 0% — You qualify for this rating if the muscles on the TOP (dorsal surface) of your foot have slight disability. The dorsal muscles control toe extension and work with the long-extensor and peroneal tendons. Slight means minor weakness or residual symptoms that barely affect toe lift or walking.