Ankle (DC 5270–5274) | Claim Compass

Most common ankle injuries (sprains, chronic instability, mild-to-moderate limitation of motion without true fusion) fall under DC 5271, limited motion, not DC 5270, which specifically requires ankylosis (the joint being fused/frozen in place).

Common Filing Mistake

A very common mistake: claiming or being rated under the ankylosis code (5270) when the ankle is not actually fused, it just has reduced or painful motion. True ankylosis is a specific, more severe finding. Most ankle claims should be evaluated under DC 5271 (limited motion) unless imaging or exam findings actually show the joint is fused.

Diagnostic Codes

DC 5270Ankle, ankylosis of
DC 5271Ankle, limited motion of
DC 5272Subastragalar or tarsal joint, ankylosis of
DC 5273Os calcis or astragalus, malunion of
DC 5274Astragalectomy

Rating Criteria

Rating	Criteria
40%	DC 5270 — Ankylosis: plantar flexion more than 40°, or dorsiflexion more than 10°, or with abduction/adduction/inversion/eversion deformity
30%	DC 5270 — Ankylosis: plantar flexion between 30°–40°, or dorsiflexion between 0°–10°
20%	DC 5270 — Ankylosis: plantar flexion less than 30°; or DC 5271 — marked limited motion; or DC 5272 — subastragalar/tarsal ankylosis in poor weight-bearing position; or DC 5273 — marked malunion deformity of os calcis/astragalus; or DC 5274 — astragalectomy
10%	DC 5271 — Moderate limited motion; or DC 5272 — subastragalar/tarsal ankylosis in good weight-bearing position; or DC 5273 — moderate malunion deformity

Special Rules

"Marked" vs. "moderate" limitation under DC 5271 is a matter of degree assessed by the examiner, there's no fixed degree threshold the way there is for DC 5270, so a well-documented description of functional impact matters here more than for most other joints.
The painful motion rule (38 CFR § 4.59) applies here too, documented pain during motion can support a minimum compensable rating even with technically adequate range of motion.

Sourced from 38 CFR §§ 4.71a / 4.130. This is a reference aid, not a rating decision, your actual rating depends on the medical evidence in your specific case and your C&P exam findings. Rules can be amended, verify current text at eCFR.gov or with an accredited VSO before relying on this for a specific claim.