What happens during a C&P exam for Ankle Instability (Chronic)?

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

Ankle Instability (Chronic)

Q: What are the VA rating percentages for Ankle Instability (Chronic)?

Ankle Instability (Chronic) (DC 5271) is rated at 20%, 10%, 0% under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5271. DC 5271 "Ankle, limited motion of: Marked (less than 5 degrees dorsiflexion or less than 10 degrees plantar flexion)" = 20%. (Verbatim § 4.71a DC 5271.) Chronic instability with secondary marked ROM loss from guarding / arthritis.

Q: What rates 20% for Ankle Instability (Chronic) under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5271?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5271 (DC 5271), a 20% rating for Ankle Instability (Chronic) requires: DC 5271 "Ankle, limited motion of: Marked (less than 5 degrees dorsiflexion or less than 10 degrees plantar flexion)" = 20%. (Verbatim § 4.71a DC 5271.) Chronic instability with secondary marked ROM loss from guarding / arthritis.

Q: What rates 10% for Ankle Instability (Chronic) under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5271?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5271 (DC 5271), a 10% rating for Ankle Instability (Chronic) requires: DC 5271 "Ankle, limited motion: Moderate (less than 15 degrees dorsiflexion or less than 30 degrees plantar flexion)" = 10%; OR — DC 5003 single-major-joint fallback (ankle is one major joint per § 4.45) with painful motion at lateral ankle / positive anterior drawer test / talar tilt >5° = 10%. (Verbatim § 4.71a.)

Q: What rates 0% for Ankle Instability (Chronic) under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5271?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5271 (DC 5271), a 0% rating for Ankle Instability (Chronic) requires: Documented chronic ankle instability (positive anterior drawer / talar tilt) without compensable ROM under DC 5271 (dorsiflexion ≥15° AND plantar flexion ≥30°) AND without objectively-confirmed painful-motion findings. Note: even with normal ROM, instability frequently warrants 10% via DC 5003 painful-motion fallback when palpable laxity is documented.

Q: What evidence do I need for a Ankle Instability (Chronic) VA claim?

Key evidence for a Ankle Instability (Chronic) 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 527138 C.F.R. § 4.71a

Diagnostic Code

DC 5271

38 C.F.R. § 4.71a

Rating Range

0–20%

3 severity tiers

Source

Referenced

38 C.F.R. Part 4

Ankle Instability (Chronic) is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 5271 of 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5271 across 3 severity tiers (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

Chronic lateral ankle instability from repeated sprains with ligament laxity, causing recurrent giving way and difficulty on uneven surfaces

Rating Criteria

20%

DC 5271 "Ankle, limited motion of: Marked (less than 5 degrees dorsiflexion or less than 10 degrees plantar flexion)" = 20%. (Verbatim § 4.71a DC 5271.) Chronic instability with secondary marked ROM loss from guarding / arthritis.

10%

DC 5271 "Ankle, limited motion: Moderate (less than 15 degrees dorsiflexion or less than 30 degrees plantar flexion)" = 10%; OR — DC 5003 single-major-joint fallback (ankle is one major joint per § 4.45) with painful motion at lateral ankle / positive anterior drawer test / talar tilt >5° = 10%. (Verbatim § 4.71a.)

Documented chronic ankle instability (positive anterior drawer / talar tilt) without compensable ROM under DC 5271 (dorsiflexion ≥15° AND plantar flexion ≥30°) AND without objectively-confirmed painful-motion findings. Note: even with normal ROM, instability frequently warrants 10% via DC 5003 painful-motion fallback when palpable laxity is documented.

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