Diagnostic Code 5276: Flatfoot, Acquired (Flat Foot / Pes Planus) Rating Criteria
- CFR section
- 38 CFR § 4.71a
- Rating range
- 0% to 50%
- Rating levels
- 5
- Body system
- Musculoskeletal system
The VA rates Flatfoot, Acquired (Flat Foot / Pes Planus) under diagnostic code 5276 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 5276 rating criteria
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 0% | Mild; symptoms relieved by built-up shoe or arch support What raters look forsymptoms relieved by built-up shoe or arch support |
| 10% | Moderate; weight-bearing line over or medial to great toe, inward bowing of the tendo achillis, pain on manipulation and use of the feet, bilateral or unilateral What raters look forweight-bearing line over or medial to great toe; inward bowing of the tendo achillis; pain on manipulation and use of the feet |
| 20% | Severe; objective evidence of marked deformity (pronation, abduction, etc.), pain on manipulation and use accentuated, indication of swelling on use, characteristic callosities: unilateral What raters look formarked deformity; pain on manipulation and use accentuated; swelling on use; characteristic callosities; unilateral |
| 30% | Severe; objective evidence of marked deformity (pronation, abduction, etc.), pain on manipulation and use accentuated, indication of swelling on use, characteristic callosities: bilateral; pronounced; marked pronation, extreme tenderness of plantar surfaces of the feet, marked inward displacement and severe spasm of the tendo achillis on manipulation, not improved by orthopedic shoes or appliances: unilateral What raters look forsevere, bilateral; pronounced, unilateral; not improved by orthopedic shoes or appliances |
| 50% | Pronounced; marked pronation, extreme tenderness of plantar surfaces of the feet, marked inward displacement and severe spasm of the tendo achillis on manipulation, not improved by orthopedic shoes or appliances: bilateral What raters look formarked pronation; extreme tenderness of plantar surfaces; severe spasm of the tendo achillis; not improved by orthopedic shoes or appliances; bilateral |
DC 5276 rating appeals at the Board
The Board of Veterans' Appeals issued 1,473 rulings on higher ratings, reductions and severance under diagnostic code 5276 from 2021 to 2026. It granted 30.1%, denied 61.5% and sent 8.4% 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 | 124 | 18.5% |
| 30 percent | 204 | 37.7% |
| 50 percent | 162 | 60.5% |
Recorded exam issues in remanded DC 5276 rulings
Percentages use all 123 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 adequate57.7%
- No exam problem recorded14.6%
- The exam was out of date or the condition had worsened14.6%
- Another problem with the exam10.6%
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 5276 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 Flat Feet (Pes Planus). The Flat Feet (Pes Planus) condition page covers service connection, common evidence problems, secondary conditions, and Board outcome patterns in depth.
Other conditions rated under this code: Plantar Fasciitis.
What happens to Flat Feet (Pes Planus) appeals at the Board
Claim Raven's analysis of 7,889 decided Board of Veterans' Appeals rulings on Flat Feet (Pes Planus), 2021 to 2026. The Flat Feet (Pes Planus) 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 Flat Feet (Pes Planus) appeals generally rather than DC 5276 specifically. The DC 5276 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 5276?
Diagnostic code 5276 is the VA rating schedule entry for Flatfoot, Acquired (Flat Foot / Pes Planus), 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 5276?
DC 5276 provides ratings of 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 50%. The percentage depends on which criteria your medical evidence documents, not on the diagnosis alone.
What does the highest rating under DC 5276 require?
The 50% rating for Flatfoot, Acquired (Flat Foot / Pes Planus) requires: Pronounced; marked pronation, extreme tenderness of plantar surfaces of the feet, marked inward displacement and severe spasm of the tendo achillis on manipulation, not improved by orthopedic shoes or appliances: bilateral.
How often does the Board grant a higher rating under DC 5276?
In 1,430 decided Board of Veterans' Appeals rulings on a higher rating under DC 5276 from 2021 to 2026, 28.3% were granted, 63.1% denied and 8.5% sent back for more work. These are appeal outcomes, not your personal odds.
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