Acquired flat feet (pes planus)
The VA rates Acquired flat feet (pes planus) under Diagnostic Code 5276 across 5 severity levels, from 0% to 50%. The applicable level depends on the full criteria and the evidence for the condition. These percentages are alternatives, not amounts to add together. There are 6 documented secondary conditions linked to Acquired flat feet (pes planus).
Catalog name: Flatfoot, acquired.
Rating schedule — DC 5276 at a glance
- Minimum rating
- 0%
- Maximum rating
- 50%
- Rating tiers
- 5
- CFR section
- § 4.71a
- Body system
- Musculoskeletal System
- Secondary conditions
- 6
Lowest schedular rating available
TDIU may raise effective compensation to 100%
0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 50%
Where this code is published
Mapped in our database
What are the VA rating criteria for Acquired flat feet (pes planus)?
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 0% | Mild; symptoms relieved by built-up shoe or arch support Note: Must be acquired (not congenital) and secondary to service for compensation. |
| 10% | Moderate; weight-bearing line over or medial to great toe, inward bowing of the tendo achillis, pain on manipulation and use of the feet, bilateral or unilateral |
| 20% | Unilateral |
| 30% | Unilateral |
| 50% | Bilateral |
“Unilateral”
Which conditions are commonly secondary to Acquired flat feet (pes planus)?
View 6 secondary conditions linked to Acquired flat feet (pes planus)
Medical rationale, evidence strength, and filing tips — rated under 38 CFR § 3.310
What other musculoskeletal conditions does the VA rate?
These diagnostic codes sit next to Acquired flat feet (pes planus) in 38 CFR Part 4. The rating schedule is ordered anatomically, so neighbouring codes usually cover the same joint, organ, or system, and a claim often involves more than one of them.
- 5271Ankle, limited motion ofRated up to 20%
- 5272Subastragalar or tarsal joint, ankylosis ofRated up to 20%
- 5273Os calcis or astragalus, malunion ofRated up to 20%
- 5274AstragalectomyRated up to 20%
- 5275Bones, of the lower extremity, shortening ofRated up to 40%
- 5277Weak foot, bilateralRated up to 10%
- 5278Claw foot (pes cavus), acquiredRated up to 50%
- 5279Metatarsalgia, anterior (Morton's disease), unilateral, or bilateralRated up to 10%
- 5280Hallux valgus, unilateralRated up to 10%
- 5281Hallux rigidus, unilateral, severeRated up to 0%
What to do with a Acquired flat feet (pes planus) rating
The tools, regulations and guides that pick up where the criteria above leave off.
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Read next
- The VA C&P Exam Explained: Before, During, and AfterA VA C&P exam helps VA decide service connection and your rating. Here is what happens before, during, and after, plus how to request your exam report.
- VA Service Connection Evidence 101: The Three-Legged StoolFor an original claim tied to active-duty service, VA needs a current disability, an in-service event, and a link between them. Here is what each part takes.
- VA Math Explained: How Combined Disability Ratings Really WorkVA ratings do not add. Learn how 38 CFR 4.25 combines disabilities using whole-person efficiency, why 50 and 30 round to 70, and how the bilateral factor works.
- VA Secondary Conditions Explained: Causation vs AggravationA service-connected condition can cause or worsen other conditions. Learn how 38 CFR 3.310 secondary service connection works: causation versus aggravation.
Common Questions About Acquired flat feet (pes planus) VA Ratings
What is the VA rating range for Acquired flat feet (pes planus)?
The VA rates Acquired flat feet (pes planus) under Diagnostic Code 5276 at 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 50%. The minimum 0% rating requires: Mild; symptoms relieved by built-up shoe or arch support. The maximum 50% rating requires: Bilateral.
Which 38 CFR diagnostic code does the VA use for Acquired flat feet (pes planus)?
The VA rates Acquired flat feet (pes planus) under Diagnostic Code (DC) 5276, published in 38 CFR § 4.71a. The diagnostic code establishes the specific rating tiers and severity criteria the VA examiner applies.
What is the difference between a 0% and a 50% rating for Acquired flat feet (pes planus)?
A 0% rating requires: Mild; symptoms relieved by built-up shoe or arch support. A 50% rating requires: Bilateral. The difference typically reflects the frequency, severity, or functional impact of the condition as documented in medical records and C&P examination findings.
Can Acquired flat feet (pes planus) qualify for TDIU?
Possibly. Acquired flat feet (pes planus) maxes at 50%, which doesn't meet the single-disability TDIU threshold of 60% alone. However, if combined with other service-connected disabilities totaling 70%+ (with one at 40%+), TDIU under 38 CFR § 4.16(a) may apply. Extraschedular TDIU under § 4.16(b) is also available if the condition alone prevents work regardless of rating.
What evidence supports a higher rating for Acquired flat feet (pes planus)?
The key evidence for Acquired flat feet (pes planus) is documentation of how the condition affects daily functioning. For musculoskeletal conditions, range of motion measurements (active, passive, weight-bearing, and non-weight-bearing per Correia v. McDonald) and flare-up documentation are critical. A nexus letter from a qualified medical professional linking the current severity to service is essential for contested claims.
Which conditions are commonly secondary to Acquired flat feet (pes planus)?
Acquired flat feet (pes planus) is associated with 6 documented secondary conditions. Secondary conditions caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability are ratable under 38 CFR § 3.310. See the secondary conditions page for the full list with medical rationale and evidence strength ratings.
What happens at the C&P exam for Acquired flat feet (pes planus)?
The C&P examiner uses a Musculoskeletal System DBQ and evaluates your condition against the DC 5276 rating criteria. Expect range of motion testing in multiple positions. Under Correia v. McDonald, the examiner must test active, passive, weight-bearing, and non-weight-bearing range of motion. Report your worst flare-up symptoms — if you cannot attend during a flare, request the exam be rescheduled.
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