Hallux valgus, commonly known as bunions, is a foot condition that can significantly affect veterans, especially those with service-related foot strain or injuries that can become bilateral. This is how you can get a VA rating for hallux valgus.
What is the Hallux Valgus VA Rating?
VA assigns a 10% rating to hallux valgus for undergoing surgery to resect the metatarsal head (bunion removal surgery), or when the bunion is severe enough to effectively render the toe unusable, comparable to amputation.
Veterans may also develop hallux rigidus, a form of arthritis causing stiffness in the big toe joint. When severe, this condition receives the same 10 percent rating as severe hallux valgus. Both conditions share this maximum rating, reflecting their similar impact on toe functionality.
Diagnostic code 5280 – Hallux valgus, unilateral:
- Operated with resection of metatarsal head – 10% rating
- Severe, if equivalent to amputation of great toe – 10% rating
Diagnostic Code 5281 – Hallux rigidus, unilateral, severe – 10% rating
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Get a Free Case EvaluationWhat is Hallux Valgus?
Hallux valgus is a deformity characterized by the lateral deviation of the big toe toward the other toes, coupled with the enlargement of the first metatarsal joint.
Common causes include tight footwear, genetic predisposition and biomechanical imbalances, often exacerbated by service conditions such as prolonged use of military boots.
Symptoms and Progression of Hallux Valgus
The progression of hallux valgus typically starts with slight misalignment of the big toe, which gradually worsens.
Symptoms include:
- Pain and tenderness around the joint.
- Swelling and readiness from overlapping toes.
- Difficulty in walking and footwear discomfort.
- Potential development of secondary issues like gout and rheumatoid arthritis due to altered foot mechanics.
Linking Hallux Valgus to Military Service
To qualify for VA benefits for hallux valgus (or bunions), veterans must establish service connection.
This may involve:
- Proving that hallux valgus was directly caused or significantly aggravated by military service.
- Submitting medical evidence, including a medical nexus letter linking the condition to specific service-related activities or gear.
Connecting Secondary Conditions to Bunions
Hallux valgus can lead to a variety of secondary conditions which may also be compensable.
Some of them may include:
- Chronic pain due to altered gait
- Arthritis of the toes
- Gait that leads to knee, hip and spine problems
Getting TDIU for Hallux Valgus
While TDIU is far less common for Hallux Valgus alone, severe cases that drastically limit employment capabilities (especially, for instance, if you do manual labor activities that require a lot of time on your feet), may still qualify.
This is especially true if you are able to combine other service-connected disabilities to strengthen your need for TDIU benefits.
To learn more about what TDIU can do for you, click below for our guide.
Click here to learn all you need to know about IU benefits.
Cassandra Crosby, an Accredited Agent and claims advocate for Matthew Hill & Shelly Mark’s teams, reviewed the information provided in this post.
