Understanding VA Disability for Veterans with Shin Splints

Shin splints are a painful leg condition caused by overuse. They typically go away with several days of resting, but in more serious cases, veterans may find no relief for months or even years. If your chronic shin splints are connected to your time in active duty military training or service, you could be owed compensation from the VA. Read on to learn more about why veterans and service members are at a higher risk of developing shin splints, the VA rating for shin splints, and how you can get compensation for the condition.

What are shin splints?

Shin splints refers to a condition that causes pain and inflammation, along the inner shin bone (the tibia). The pain may be a dull, throbbing ache or sharp and intense. Shin splints are usually both caused and worsened by exercises like running, walking, and marching long distances. This makes military service members prime candidates for developing the condition. 

While shin splints are typically acute, meaning they go away within a few weeks, they also can be chronic and recurring. Because treating the condition includes stopping the activity or lessening high-impact exercises, service members may struggle to recover from their shin splints if this is not an option or if they ignore the pain. Unhealed shin splints can also turn into stress fractures, though this is a rare complication.

Shin splints and military service

As previously mentioned, military recruits are at a high risk of developing shin splints due to the physical demands of service. According to the Journal of Military and Veterans’ Health, as many as 60 to 70% of recruits may be injured in training, with most injuries being from overuse of their legs and feet. These overuse injuries most commonly include plantar fasciitis, tendonitis, and shin splints. 

A 1974 study also found extremely high rates of shin splints among the participating Navy trainees. Of the more than 2,700 recruits in the group, 97% experienced shin splints.

A third study of Australian military members found that despite high rates of shin splints among recruits, the vast majority recovered with several days of rest. However, more than a dozen participating trainees developed shin splints that were considered serious injuries, requiring physical therapy. In these cases “it was generally possible to continue to function with the injury, but a large amount of morbidity was inflicted on the recruits.”

VA rating for shin splints

Veterans whose shin splints are connected to their service may be eligible for a VA rating for shin splints. The VA rates shin splints using diagnostic code 5262 for impairment of the tibia and fibula as follows:

5262 Tibia and fibula, impairment of: 

Medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS), or shin splints: 

• Requiring treatment for no less than 12 consecutive months, and unresponsive to surgery and either shoe orthotics or other conservative treatment, both lower extremities: 30% 

• Requiring treatment for no less than 12 consecutive months, and unresponsive to surgery and either shoe orthotics or other conservative treatment, one lower extremity: 20% 

• Requiring treatment for no less than 12 consecutive months, and unresponsive to either shoe orthotics or other conservative treatment, one or both lower extremities: 10% 

• Treatment less than 12 consecutive months, one or both lower extremities: 0%

As you can see, the highest VA rating for shin splints a veteran will be awarded is 30%, in severe cases where the splints affect both legs, require treatment for at least a year, and are not improved by surgery and other treatments. 

It is also possible for a veteran to receive a non-compensable 0% rating if the VA acknowledges the vet’s shin splints are caused by service, but are not considered disabling.

Service connecting shin splints

To receive VA disability for shin splints, a veteran will need to provide evidence their chronic shin splints connect to their military service. Evidence can include military records that show you went to the sick bay for or otherwise reported having pain in your lower legs. You can also use lay and buddy statements or medical records from your current doctor to support your claim.

You will most likely also be asked to attend a C&P exam for your shin splint VA disability claim. This exam will not only be used to help determine how severe your condition is, but the VA can also use information gathered at a C&P exam to decide whether your shin splints are service connected. Being able to explain to the examiner how long ruck marches in training or high-impact running in combat led to your shin splints could be helpful for your claim.

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TDIU for shin splints

A veteran can be awarded total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) benefits if they can’t maintain substantially gainful employment due to service-connected conditions. 

TDIU pays at the same level as a 100% disability rating, even when the veteran’s combined rating is below 100%. 

Veterans will typically be eligible for TDIU if they have:

• One service-connected disability rated at 60% or more disabling OR 
• Two or more service-connected disabilities with at least one rated at 40% or more disabling and a combined rating of 70% or more.

Though uncomfortable and even sometimes debilitating, shin splints on their own will not typically warrant TDIU benefits because the highest VA rating for shin splints is 30%. However, most veterans have multiple service-connected conditions. 

Military service takes a toll on the body, and one condition can lead to others. It’s possible your shin splints are causing other orthopedic issues, especially if the pain is present in only one leg and you are overcompensating with the other. 

You may also have other unrelated health conditions that are linked to your service. The combined effects of these conditions could preclude work and make you eligible for TDIU.

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