What are the VA rating percentages for Peroneal Tendon Tear/Subluxation?

Peroneal Tendon Tear/Subluxation (DC 5271) is rated at 20%, 10%, 0% under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5271. Marked: less than 5 degrees dorsiflexion or less than 10 degrees plantar flexion.

What rates 20% for Peroneal Tendon Tear/Subluxation under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5271?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5271 (DC 5271), a 20% rating for Peroneal Tendon Tear/Subluxation requires: Marked: less than 5 degrees dorsiflexion or less than 10 degrees plantar flexion.

What rates 10% for Peroneal Tendon Tear/Subluxation under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5271?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5271 (DC 5271), a 10% rating for Peroneal Tendon Tear/Subluxation requires: Moderate: less than 15 degrees dorsiflexion or less than 30 degrees plantar flexion.

What happens during a C&P exam for Peroneal Tendon Tear/Subluxation?

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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Peroneal Tendon Tear/Subluxation

Q: What rates 0% for Peroneal Tendon Tear/Subluxation under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5271?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5271 (DC 5271), a 0% rating for Peroneal Tendon Tear/Subluxation requires: Slight: dorsiflexion of 15 degrees or more AND plantar flexion of 30 degrees or more — schedularly noncompensable. Per § 4.59, painful motion with X-ray pathology supports 10% single-joint floor under DC 5003.

Q: What evidence do I need for a Peroneal Tendon Tear/Subluxation VA claim?

Key evidence for a Peroneal Tendon Tear/Subluxation 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

Verified

38 C.F.R. § 4.71a

Peroneal Tendon Tear/Subluxation 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

Tear or subluxation of the peroneal tendons on the lateral ankle causing pain, snapping, and chronic ankle instability

Rating Criteria

20%

Marked: less than 5 degrees dorsiflexion or less than 10 degrees plantar flexion.

10%

Moderate: less than 15 degrees dorsiflexion or less than 30 degrees plantar flexion.

Slight: dorsiflexion of 15 degrees or more AND plantar flexion of 30 degrees or more — schedularly noncompensable. Per § 4.59, painful motion with X-ray pathology supports 10% single-joint floor under DC 5003.

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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