What happens during a C&P exam for Achilles Tendon Rupture?

Do NOT stretch, warm up, or take pain medication before your exam. The VA needs your baseline limitation. Report your WORST day. DeLuca v. Brown requires documentation of functional loss during flare-ups.

← All Condition Guides

CLAIM RECON INTEL

Achilles Tendon Rupture

Q: What are the VA rating percentages for Achilles Tendon Rupture?

Achilles Tendon Rupture (DC 5024) is rated at 40%, 30%, 20%, 10%, 0% under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5024. DC 5270 "Ankle, ankylosis of: In plantar flexion at more than 40°, or in dorsiflexion at more than 10° or with abduction, adduction, inversion or eversion deformity" = 40%; OR — DC 5311 "Muscle injury, Group XI (posterior + lateral crural)" severe = 30%, combined with DC 5271 marked = 20%, may reach 40%+ per § 4.25. (Verbatim § 4.71a DC 5270 / DC 5311.)

Q: What rates 40% for Achilles Tendon Rupture under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5024?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5024 (DC 5024), a 40% rating for Achilles Tendon Rupture requires: DC 5270 "Ankle, ankylosis of: In plantar flexion at more than 40°, or in dorsiflexion at more than 10° or with abduction, adduction, inversion or eversion deformity" = 40%; OR — DC 5311 "Muscle injury, Group XI (posterior + lateral crural)" severe = 30%, combined with DC 5271 marked = 20%, may reach 40%+ per § 4.25. (Verbatim § 4.71a DC 5270 / DC 5311.)

Q: What rates 30% for Achilles Tendon Rupture under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5024?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5024 (DC 5024), a 30% rating for Achilles Tendon Rupture requires: DC 5270 "Plantar flexion between 30° and 40°, or dorsiflexion between 0° and 10°" = 30%; DC 5311 "Muscle Group XI" moderately severe = 20%, combined with DC 5271 marked = 20%, may reach 30% per § 4.25. (Verbatim § 4.71a.)

Q: What rates 20% for Achilles Tendon Rupture under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5024?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5024 (DC 5024), a 20% rating for Achilles Tendon Rupture requires: DC 5270 "Plantar flexion <30°" = 20%; DC 5271 "Marked (<5° dorsiflexion or <10° plantar flexion)" = 20%; DC 5311 "Muscle Group XI, moderately severe" = 20%. (Verbatim § 4.71a.) ⚠ DC 5003 X-ray-only does NOT apply per Note 2.

Q: What rates 10% for Achilles Tendon Rupture under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5024?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5024 (DC 5024), a 10% rating for Achilles Tendon Rupture requires: DC 5271 "Moderate (<15° dorsiflexion or <30° plantar flexion)" = 10%; DC 5311 "Muscle Group XI, moderate" = 10%; OR — DC 5003 single-joint fallback with objectively-confirmed painful motion / weakness = 10%. (Verbatim § 4.71a.)

Q: What rates 0% for Achilles Tendon Rupture under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5024?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5024 (DC 5024), a 0% rating for Achilles Tendon Rupture requires: Diagnosed Achilles rupture with successful surgical repair, normal ankle ROM, normal strength, no objectively-confirmed painful motion. Rare for complete rupture residuals to be fully noncompensable.

Q: What evidence do I need for a Achilles Tendon Rupture VA claim?

Key evidence for a Achilles Tendon Rupture claim includes: Service treatment records showing injury or complaints; Imaging (X-ray, MRI, CT); Range of motion measurements; Flare-up documentation per Sharp v. Shulkin; Buddy statements describing limitations. All evidence should document both the condition and its impact on daily functioning.

DC 502438 C.F.R. § 4.71a

Diagnostic Code

DC 5024

38 C.F.R. § 4.71a

Rating Range

0–40%

5 severity tiers

Source

Referenced

38 C.F.R. Part 4

Achilles Tendon Rupture is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 5024 of 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5024 across 5 severity tiers (40% / 30% / 20% / 10% / 0%). Service connection requires (1) a current diagnosis, (2) an in-service event, injury, or exposure, and (3) a medical nexus opinion linking the two under 38 C.F.R. § 3.303.

Educational tool only. Not legal or medical advice. Not affiliated with the VA.

Overview

Complete or partial tear of the Achilles tendon causing significant loss of push-off strength, gait impairment, and calf weakness

Rating Criteria

40%

DC 5270 "Ankle, ankylosis of: In plantar flexion at more than 40°, or in dorsiflexion at more than 10° or with abduction, adduction, inversion or eversion deformity" = 40%; OR — DC 5311 "Muscle injury, Group XI (posterior + lateral crural)" severe = 30%, combined with DC 5271 marked = 20%, may reach 40%+ per § 4.25. (Verbatim § 4.71a DC 5270 / DC 5311.)

30%

DC 5270 "Plantar flexion between 30° and 40°, or dorsiflexion between 0° and 10°" = 30%; DC 5311 "Muscle Group XI" moderately severe = 20%, combined with DC 5271 marked = 20%, may reach 30% per § 4.25. (Verbatim § 4.71a.)

20%

DC 5270 "Plantar flexion <30°" = 20%; DC 5271 "Marked (<5° dorsiflexion or <10° plantar flexion)" = 20%; DC 5311 "Muscle Group XI, moderately severe" = 20%. (Verbatim § 4.71a.) ⚠ DC 5003 X-ray-only does NOT apply per Note 2.

10%

DC 5271 "Moderate (<15° dorsiflexion or <30° plantar flexion)" = 10%; DC 5311 "Muscle Group XI, moderate" = 10%; OR — DC 5003 single-joint fallback with objectively-confirmed painful motion / weakness = 10%. (Verbatim § 4.71a.)

Diagnosed Achilles rupture with successful surgical repair, normal ankle ROM, normal strength, no objectively-confirmed painful motion. Rare for complete rupture residuals to be fully noncompensable.

03Key Evidence

—Service treatment records showing injury or complaints

—Imaging (X-ray, MRI, CT)

—Range of motion measurements

—Flare-up documentation per Sharp v. Shulkin

—Buddy statements describing limitations

—Prescription history

—Physical therapy records

—Employment impact documentation

04C&P Exam Tips

1Do NOT stretch, warm up, or take pain medication before your exam. The VA needs your baseline limitation.

2Report your WORST day. DeLuca v. Brown requires documentation of functional loss during flare-ups.

3Tell the examiner about flare-ups: frequency, duration, estimated ROM loss. Sharp v. Shulkin (2017) requires estimates.

4Request active, passive, weight-bearing, and non-weight-bearing ROM testing per Correia v. McDonald (2016).

5If you use assistive devices (brace, cane), bring them.

6Describe daily activity impact: work, sleep, household tasks.

Tools

Rating Calculator →Secondaries Explorer →C&P Exam Prep →PACT Act Scanner →2026 Rates →

Sources & Editorial

Rating criteria reference 38 C.F.R. Part 4 (Schedule for Rating Disabilities). This entry has not yet undergone editorial review against the live regulation text — consult the authoritative source directly before relying on the criteria shown.

View 38 C.F.R. Part 4 on eCFR →Editorial Standards →Suggest a correction →

EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. NOT LEGAL OR MEDICAL ADVICE.
NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
CLAIM RECON 2026

LOADING