Diagnostic Code 5271: Ankle. Limited Motion Rating Criteria
- CFR section
- 38 CFR § 4.71a
- Rating range
- 10% to 20%
- Rating levels
- 2
- Body system
- Musculoskeletal system
The VA rates Ankle. Limited Motion under diagnostic code 5271 in 38 CFR § 4.71a. The table below is the full set of rating criteria, from the schedule itself, with the evidence factors raters look for at each level.
DC 5271 rating criteria
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 10% | Moderate (less than 15 degrees dorsiflexion or less than 30 degrees plantar flexion) What raters look forless than 15 degrees dorsiflexion; less than 30 degrees plantar flexion |
| 20% | Marked (less than 5 degrees dorsiflexion or less than 10 degrees plantar flexion) What raters look forless than 5 degrees dorsiflexion; less than 10 degrees plantar flexion |
DC 5271 rating appeals at the Board
The Board of Veterans' Appeals issued 4,127 rulings on higher ratings, reductions and severance under diagnostic code 5271 from 2021 to 2026. It granted 29.3%, denied 61.4% and sent 9.2% back for more work. One appeal can contain more than one ruling.
By the rating the Board's order named
Only orders that state a rating percentage with a date are counted. An order denying a rating "in excess of 50 percent" names the existing rating; a grant may name the rating awarded. These are not all ratings veterans requested.
| Rating the order named | Decided rulings | Granted |
|---|---|---|
| 10 percent | 406 | 16.0% |
| 20 percent | 416 | 69.0% |
Recorded exam issues in remanded DC 5271 rulings
Percentages use all 381 rating rulings under this code the Board remanded, 2021 to 2026. Some rulings have no recorded exam classification, and small categories are not shown, so these rows need not total 100 percent.
- The VA exam or opinion was not adequate78.5%
- The exam was out of date or the condition had worsened13.1%
- No exam problem recorded6.6%
Method: Claim Raven read each ruling in every Board decision stored for 2021 to 2026 and counted it under this code when the decision named DC 5271 for a rating question. These results cover only rulings with an identified diagnostic code and may not represent rulings where no code was stated. Granted includes partial grants; dismissed and withdrawn rulings are left out. These are outcomes within appeals, not first decisions, and not your personal odds.
Condition guide
The rating criteria are only part of the picture for Ankle. The Ankle condition page covers service connection, common evidence problems, secondary conditions, and Board outcome patterns in depth.
What happens to Ankle appeals at the Board
Claim Raven's analysis of 27,035 decided Board of Veterans' Appeals rulings on Ankle, 2021 to 2026. The Ankle condition page has the full breakdown, including which evidence types are associated with better outcomes.
Method: each ruling's outcome is read from the order in the Board's published decision and rolled up as granted (including partial grants), denied, or remanded, leaving out dismissals and withdrawals. The data codes the condition the Board ruled on, not the diagnostic code, so these numbers describe Ankle appeals generally rather than DC 5271 specifically. The DC 5271 section above counts this code's own rating appeals. Board outcomes describe appealed claims, not initial decisions.
Frequently asked questions
What is VA diagnostic code 5271?
Diagnostic code 5271 is the VA rating schedule entry for Ankle. Limited Motion, found in 38 CFR § 4.71a. The VA assigns this code when it rates the condition and applies the criteria listed on this page.
What ratings are possible under DC 5271?
DC 5271 provides ratings of 10%, 20%. The percentage depends on which criteria your medical evidence documents, not on the diagnosis alone.
What does the highest rating under DC 5271 require?
The 20% rating for Ankle. Limited Motion requires: Marked (less than 5 degrees dorsiflexion or less than 10 degrees plantar flexion).
How often does the Board grant a higher rating under DC 5271?
In 4,036 decided Board of Veterans' Appeals rulings on a higher rating under DC 5271 from 2021 to 2026, 28.0% were granted, 62.6% denied and 9.4% sent back for more work. These are appeal outcomes, not your personal odds.
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