What happens during a C&P exam for Claw Foot (Pes Cavus)?

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.

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Claw Foot (Pes Cavus)

Q: What are the VA rating percentages for Claw Foot (Pes Cavus)?

Claw Foot (Pes Cavus) (DC 5278) is rated at 30%, 20%, 10%, 0% under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5278. DC 5278 verbatim — "Marked contraction of plantar fascia with dropped forefoot, all toes hammer toes, very painful callosities, marked varus deformity: Bilateral" = 30%. (Verbatim § 4.71a DC 5278.)

Q: What rates 30% for Claw Foot (Pes Cavus) under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5278?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5278 (DC 5278), a 30% rating for Claw Foot (Pes Cavus) requires: DC 5278 verbatim — "Marked contraction of plantar fascia with dropped forefoot, all toes hammer toes, very painful callosities, marked varus deformity: Bilateral" = 30%. (Verbatim § 4.71a DC 5278.)

Q: What rates 20% for Claw Foot (Pes Cavus) under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5278?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5278 (DC 5278), a 20% rating for Claw Foot (Pes Cavus) requires: DC 5278 verbatim — "Marked contraction... marked varus deformity: Unilateral" = 20%; OR — "All toes tending to dorsiflexion, limitation of dorsiflexion at ankle to right angle, shortened plantar fascia, and marked tenderness under metatarsal heads: Bilateral" = 20%. (Verbatim § 4.71a DC 5278.)

Q: What rates 10% for Claw Foot (Pes Cavus) under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5278?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5278 (DC 5278), a 10% rating for Claw Foot (Pes Cavus) requires: DC 5278 verbatim — "All toes tending to dorsiflexion...: Unilateral" = 10%; OR — "Great toe dorsiflexed, some limitation of dorsiflexion at ankle, definite tenderness under metatarsal heads: Bilateral" = 10%; OR — "Great toe dorsiflexed...: Unilateral" = 10%. (Verbatim § 4.71a DC 5278.)

Q: What rates 0% for Claw Foot (Pes Cavus) under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5278?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5278 (DC 5278), a 0% rating for Claw Foot (Pes Cavus) requires: DC 5278 verbatim — "Slight" = 0%. (Verbatim § 4.71a DC 5278.) Mild pes cavus without functional impairment or marked tenderness = non-compensable.

Q: What evidence do I need for a Claw Foot (Pes Cavus) VA claim?

Key evidence for a Claw Foot (Pes Cavus) 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 527838 C.F.R. § 4.71a

Diagnostic Code

DC 5278

38 C.F.R. § 4.71a

Rating Range

0–30%

4 severity tiers

Source

Referenced

38 C.F.R. Part 4

Claw Foot (Pes Cavus) is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 5278 of 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5278 across 4 severity tiers (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

Abnormally high foot arch with claw-like toes, shortened plantar fascia, and painful callosities affecting weight distribution

Rating Criteria

30%

DC 5278 verbatim — "Marked contraction of plantar fascia with dropped forefoot, all toes hammer toes, very painful callosities, marked varus deformity: Bilateral" = 30%. (Verbatim § 4.71a DC 5278.)

20%

DC 5278 verbatim — "Marked contraction... marked varus deformity: Unilateral" = 20%; OR — "All toes tending to dorsiflexion, limitation of dorsiflexion at ankle to right angle, shortened plantar fascia, and marked tenderness under metatarsal heads: Bilateral" = 20%. (Verbatim § 4.71a DC 5278.)

10%

DC 5278 verbatim — "All toes tending to dorsiflexion...: Unilateral" = 10%; OR — "Great toe dorsiflexed, some limitation of dorsiflexion at ankle, definite tenderness under metatarsal heads: Bilateral" = 10%; OR — "Great toe dorsiflexed...: Unilateral" = 10%. (Verbatim § 4.71a DC 5278.)

DC 5278 verbatim — "Slight" = 0%. (Verbatim § 4.71a DC 5278.) Mild pes cavus without functional impairment or marked tenderness = non-compensable.

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

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