What happens during a C&P exam for Hammer Toe?

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

Hammer Toe

Q: What are the VA rating percentages for Hammer Toe?

Hammer Toe (DC 5282) is rated at 10%, 0% under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5282. DC 5282 verbatim — "Hammer toe: All toes, unilateral without claw foot" = 10%. (Verbatim § 4.71a DC 5282.) Complete unilateral hammer-toe deformity of all 5 toes WITHOUT pes cavus. If associated with claw foot, rate under DC 5278 instead.

Q: What rates 10% for Hammer Toe under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5282?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5282 (DC 5282), a 10% rating for Hammer Toe requires: DC 5282 verbatim — "Hammer toe: All toes, unilateral without claw foot" = 10%. (Verbatim § 4.71a DC 5282.) Complete unilateral hammer-toe deformity of all 5 toes WITHOUT pes cavus. If associated with claw foot, rate under DC 5278 instead.

Q: What rates 0% for Hammer Toe under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5282?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5282 (DC 5282), a 0% rating for Hammer Toe requires: DC 5282 verbatim — "Hammer toe: Single toes" = 0%. (Verbatim § 4.71a DC 5282.) Isolated single-toe hammer-toe deformities are non-compensable under DC 5282. Functional impact from single-toe deformity may rate-by-analogy under DC 5284 if severe.

Q: What evidence do I need for a Hammer Toe VA claim?

Key evidence for a Hammer Toe 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 528238 C.F.R. § 4.71a

Diagnostic Code

DC 5282

38 C.F.R. § 4.71a

Rating Range

0–10%

2 severity tiers

Source

Referenced

38 C.F.R. Part 4

Hammer Toe is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 5282 of 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5282 across 2 severity tiers (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

Deformity where the toe bends permanently downward at the middle joint, causing pain with footwear and callus formation

Rating Criteria

10%

DC 5282 verbatim — "Hammer toe: All toes, unilateral without claw foot" = 10%. (Verbatim § 4.71a DC 5282.) Complete unilateral hammer-toe deformity of all 5 toes WITHOUT pes cavus. If associated with claw foot, rate under DC 5278 instead.

DC 5282 verbatim — "Hammer toe: Single toes" = 0%. (Verbatim § 4.71a DC 5282.) Isolated single-toe hammer-toe deformities are non-compensable under DC 5282. Functional impact from single-toe deformity may rate-by-analogy under DC 5284 if severe.

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