If painful bunions from military service have made your daily life more difficult, you may be wondering if there is a bunion VA rating. There is — it’s under the medical term for bunions, hallux valgus.
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Below, we explain the hallux valgus VA rating, how bilateral cases are handled, and what related secondary conditions may also qualify for service connection.
Key Takeaways
- Hallux valgus, or bunions, can develop after years of military duties, especially if shoes are ill-fitting.
- Bunions are rated under diagnostic code 5280 with a maximum rating of 10%.
- Each foot is evaluated separately, meaning veterans with bilateral hallux valgus could get increased VA disability compensation.
In this article about the hallux valgus VA rating:
What is hallux valgus or bunions?
Hallux valgus is the medical term for what most people call a bunion.
A bunion is a bony bump that forms at the base of the big toe, where the toe meets the foot at the metatarsophalangeal joint.
Pressure on this joint pushes the big toe out of alignment and toward the other toes. As the toe shifts, the joint becomes more prominent, creating a bump.
Less often, bunions known as Tailor’s bunions can form at the base of the pinky toe instead.
Veterans with hallux valgus may experience swelling and stiffness. Bunions can cause persistent pain at the base of the toe and make standing, walking, and wearing shoes more difficult.
Hallux valgus in veterans
Years of military duties, which can place consistent stress on the feet, may make bunions even more likely for some veterans.
Marching with heavy equipment required, ill-fitting boots, or even maintaining balance in regulation shoes on a constantly listing ship can place added stress on the feet.
When that stress increases pressure across the big toe joint, it can cause abnormal motion. Over time, this may lead to developing bunions.
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The hallux valgus VA rating
The hallux valgus VA rating for one foot with a bunion is assigned under diagnostic code 5280 for unilateral (affecting one foot) hallux valgus.
Under this diagnostic code, the maximum rating is 10%. There are two criteria that will get this 10% rating.
- When a veteran undergoes surgery to remove part of the metatarsal head, commonly referred to as bunion removal surgery
Or
- When the condition is severe and is functionally comparable to the amputation of the great toe
Bilateral hallux valgus VA rating
The hallux valgus VA rating criteria requires each foot to be evaluated separately.
Therefore, veterans with bilateral bunions, or bunions on both feet, can receive two separate ratings of 10%, as long as both sides meet the criteria listed above.
Additionally, when service-connected disabilities affect both sides of the body, the VA applies the bilateral factor.
When applying the bilateral factor, ratings for the disabilities of the right and left sides or paired muscles will first be evaluated and combined as usual. Then, 10% of the value of the combined rating will be added (not combined) before proceeding with further combinations.
Hallux valgus and secondary conditions
While many people don’t experience significant issues from hallux valgus, bunions can and sometimes do cause other complications.
The pain from bunions may cause people to change the way they walk, affecting their gait and balance. When someone shifts their weight away from a painful area, other joints may be overburdened or move in ways they weren’t designed to. Altered gait can result in joint issues, causing strain in the knees, hips, ankles, or even back over time.
Veterans with bunions are also at an increased risk of developing osteoarthritis in the big toe or bursitis, as well as hammertoes. These conditions can lead to foot pain, swelling, and limited range of motion.
If your service-connected bunions cause or worsen problems in your feet or other joints, you could be owed additional VA disability compensation.
How Woods & Woods can help
Woods & Woods has been fighting for people with injuries and disabilities since 1985. Our team of accredited VA disability lawyers, case managers, legal analysts, and intake specialists know the ins and outs of the VA so you don’t have to do all the hard work. Call us today for your free and confidential case evaluation.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, veterans can get a bilateral hallux valgus VA rating. Each foot is rated separately.
Yes, if a veteran has surgery to remove service-connected bunions (resection of the metatarsal head), the VA may assign a 10% rating. This is the highest rating available for bunions.
Neil Woods
Neil Woods is a VA disability attorney and the owner and president of Woods & Woods. He received his law degree from Western Michigan University.
