What are the VA rating percentages for Leg Length Discrepancy?

Leg Length Discrepancy (DC 5275) is rated at 60%, 50%, 40%, 30%, 20%, 10%, 0% under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5275. Over 4 inches (10.2 cm). Also entitled to special monthly compensation per § 3.350.

What rates 60% for Leg Length Discrepancy under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5275?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5275 (DC 5275), a 60% rating for Leg Length Discrepancy requires: Over 4 inches (10.2 cm). Also entitled to special monthly compensation per § 3.350.

What rates 50% for Leg Length Discrepancy under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5275?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5275 (DC 5275), a 50% rating for Leg Length Discrepancy requires: 3.5 to 4 inches (8.9 cm to 10.2 cm). Also entitled to special monthly compensation per § 3.350.

What rates 40% for Leg Length Discrepancy under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5275?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5275 (DC 5275), a 40% rating for Leg Length Discrepancy requires: 3 to 3.5 inches (7.6 cm to 8.9 cm).

What rates 30% for Leg Length Discrepancy under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5275?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5275 (DC 5275), a 30% rating for Leg Length Discrepancy requires: 2.5 to 3 inches (6.4 cm to 7.6 cm).

What rates 20% for Leg Length Discrepancy under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5275?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5275 (DC 5275), a 20% rating for Leg Length Discrepancy requires: 2 to 2.5 inches (5.1 cm to 6.4 cm).

What rates 10% for Leg Length Discrepancy under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5275?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5275 (DC 5275), a 10% rating for Leg Length Discrepancy requires: 1.25 to 2 inches (3.2 cm to 5.1 cm).

What happens during a C&P exam for Leg Length Discrepancy?

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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Leg Length Discrepancy

Q: What rates 0% for Leg Length Discrepancy under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5275?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5275 (DC 5275), a 0% rating for Leg Length Discrepancy requires: Less than 1.25 inches (3.2 cm) — schedularly noncompensable under DC 5275, though service connection is preserved and § 3.310 secondary claims for gait-derived conditions remain compensable.

Q: What evidence do I need for a Leg Length Discrepancy VA claim?

Key evidence for a Leg Length Discrepancy 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 527538 C.F.R. § 4.71a

Diagnostic Code

DC 5275

38 C.F.R. § 4.71a

Rating Range

0–60%

7 severity tiers

Source

Verified

38 C.F.R. § 4.71a

Leg Length Discrepancy is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 5275 of 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5275 across 7 severity tiers (60% / 50% / 40% / 30% / 20%…). 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

One leg measurably shorter than the other due to fracture, surgery, or growth disturbance, causing compensatory gait and spinal problems

Rating Criteria

60%

Over 4 inches (10.2 cm). Also entitled to special monthly compensation per § 3.350.

50%

3.5 to 4 inches (8.9 cm to 10.2 cm). Also entitled to special monthly compensation per § 3.350.

40%

3 to 3.5 inches (7.6 cm to 8.9 cm).

30%

2.5 to 3 inches (6.4 cm to 7.6 cm).

20%

2 to 2.5 inches (5.1 cm to 6.4 cm).

10%

1.25 to 2 inches (3.2 cm to 5.1 cm).

Less than 1.25 inches (3.2 cm) — schedularly noncompensable under DC 5275, though service connection is preserved and § 3.310 secondary claims for gait-derived conditions remain 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 text quoted verbatim from 38 C.F.R. § 4.71a (Musculoskeletal system). Source verified 2026-05-27 by ClaimRecon Editorial Team against the Cornell Law CFR mirror; eCFR.gov is the authoritative government source.

View § 4.71a on eCFR →Cornell Law mirror →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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