What happens during a C&P exam for Shin Splints (Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome)?

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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Shin Splints (Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome)

Q: What are the VA rating percentages for Shin Splints (Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome)?

Shin Splints (Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome) (DC 5262) is rated at 30%, 20%, 10%, 0% under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5262. DC 5262 verbatim — "Medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS), or shin splints: Requiring treatment for no less than 12 consecutive months, and unresponsive to surgery and either shoe orthotics or other conservative treatment, both lower extremities" = 30%. (Verbatim § 4.71a DC 5262.) Bilateral refractory MTSS post-surgical fasciotomy.

Q: What rates 30% for Shin Splints (Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome) under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5262?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5262 (DC 5262), a 30% rating for Shin Splints (Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome) requires: DC 5262 verbatim — "Medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS), or shin splints: Requiring treatment for no less than 12 consecutive months, and unresponsive to surgery and either shoe orthotics or other conservative treatment, both lower extremities" = 30%. (Verbatim § 4.71a DC 5262.) Bilateral refractory MTSS post-surgical fasciotomy.

Q: What rates 20% for Shin Splints (Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome) under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5262?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5262 (DC 5262), a 20% rating for Shin Splints (Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome) requires: DC 5262 verbatim — "MTSS: Requiring treatment for no less than 12 consecutive months, and unresponsive to surgery and either shoe orthotics or other conservative treatment, one lower extremity" = 20%. (Verbatim § 4.71a DC 5262.) Unilateral refractory MTSS post-surgical fasciotomy.

Q: What rates 10% for Shin Splints (Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome) under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5262?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5262 (DC 5262), a 10% rating for Shin Splints (Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome) requires: DC 5262 verbatim — "MTSS: Requiring treatment for no less than 12 consecutive months, and unresponsive to either shoe orthotics or other conservative treatment, one or both lower extremities" = 10%. (Verbatim § 4.71a DC 5262.) Chronic MTSS at the 12-month threshold without yet requiring surgery.

Q: What rates 0% for Shin Splints (Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome) under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5262?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5262 (DC 5262), a 0% rating for Shin Splints (Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome) requires: DC 5262 verbatim — "MTSS: Treatment less than 12 consecutive months, one or both lower extremities" = 0%. (Verbatim § 4.71a DC 5262.) Acute MTSS or chronic but treatment duration <12 months — noncompensable.

Q: What evidence do I need for a Shin Splints (Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome) VA claim?

Key evidence for a Shin Splints (Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome) 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 526238 C.F.R. § 4.71a

Diagnostic Code

DC 5262

38 C.F.R. § 4.71a

Rating Range

0–30%

4 severity tiers

Source

Referenced

38 C.F.R. Part 4

Shin Splints (Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome) is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 5262 of 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5262 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

Chronic pain and inflammation along the medial tibial border from repetitive overuse during running, marching, or impact activities

Rating Criteria

30%

DC 5262 verbatim — "Medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS), or shin splints: Requiring treatment for no less than 12 consecutive months, and unresponsive to surgery and either shoe orthotics or other conservative treatment, both lower extremities" = 30%. (Verbatim § 4.71a DC 5262.) Bilateral refractory MTSS post-surgical fasciotomy.

20%

DC 5262 verbatim — "MTSS: Requiring treatment for no less than 12 consecutive months, and unresponsive to surgery and either shoe orthotics or other conservative treatment, one lower extremity" = 20%. (Verbatim § 4.71a DC 5262.) Unilateral refractory MTSS post-surgical fasciotomy.

10%

DC 5262 verbatim — "MTSS: Requiring treatment for no less than 12 consecutive months, and unresponsive to either shoe orthotics or other conservative treatment, one or both lower extremities" = 10%. (Verbatim § 4.71a DC 5262.) Chronic MTSS at the 12-month threshold without yet requiring surgery.

DC 5262 verbatim — "MTSS: Treatment less than 12 consecutive months, one or both lower extremities" = 0%. (Verbatim § 4.71a DC 5262.) Acute MTSS or chronic but treatment duration <12 months — noncompensable.

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.

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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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