How to Get a VA Disability Rating for Hallux Valgus (Bunions)
CCK Law: Our Vital Role in Veterans Law
With the physical wear and tear that military service can have on the legs and feet, it is not uncommon for veterans to develop hallux valgus (bunions). Bunions are a frustrating foot condition that can get in the way of exercise and work, which is why it is possible to earn a hallux valgus VA disability rating and thus compensation and benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
This article will help guide you through difficult aspects of VA’s claims process. Key points include:
- Bunions can be “secondarily” service connected if they develop due to other conditions that commonly affect veterans, including flat feet and arthritis.
- While hallux valgus is typically assigned a 10 percent VA rating, it may be possible to gain a higher rating through the bilateral factor, which comes into play if both feet are affected.
- If a veteran’s hallux valgus is severe enough that it prevents them from working completely, they may even become eligible for total disability based on individual unemployability, or TDIU.
Do I Suffer from Hallux Valgus (Bunions) Due to Military Service?
Hallux valgus, otherwise known as bunions, is a bony bump that forms on the joint at the base of the big toe. Typically, bunions occur when some of the bones in the front part of the foot move out of place. This process then causes the tip of the big toe to be pulled toward the smaller toes and forces the joint at the base of the big toes to stick out.
Oftentimes, the skin surrounding the bunion will be red and sore. Certain behaviors, such as wearing tight, narrow shoes, may exacerbate bunions. In some cases, bunions may also develop as a result of the shape of an individual’s foot, a foot deformity, or a medical condition (e.g., arthritis). When smaller bunions form on the joint of the little toe, they are referred to as “bunionettes.”
Signs and Symptoms of Bunions
Common signs and symptoms of bunions include the following:
- A bulging bump on the outside of the base of an individual’s big toe
- Swelling, redness, or soreness around the big toe joint
- Corns or calluses – these often develop where the first and second toes rub against each other
- Ongoing pain or pain that comes and goes
- Limited movement of the big toe
Reasons that Veterans Get Bunions
There are many potential causes for bunions, including factors such as inherited foot type, foot stress or injuries, and deformities present at birth. Footwear may also contribute to the formation of bunions. Specifically, too narrow or ill-fitting shoes can cause bunions.
To get a hallux valgus VA rating, veterans must prove that the cause of their bunions was directly or indirectly their military service. See the “Service Connection” section below.
How to Get a Diagnosis of Hallux Valgus (Bunions)
To diagnose bunions, military and civilian doctors will typically begin by examining the foot and identifying where the bunions are located. After a physical exam, an X-ray of the foot can help doctors determine the best way to treat the bunions.
How Do I Prove that Hallux Valgus Is Service Connected?
There are several ways to prove service connection. Three are direct, secondary, and presumptive service connection.
Direct Service Connection for Bunions
To establish direct service connection a veteran must have a current, diagnosed disability; however, they can sometimes argue that broader symptoms resulting in impairment also warrant service connection even if there is no actual diagnosis.
The next step in establishing direct service connection for bunions involves demonstrating the occurrence of an in-service event or injury. The final component requires a medical nexus, or link, between the in-service event and the current disability. If all three of the abovementioned elements are met, VA should award service connection for bunions and then assign a disability rating.
Secondary Service Connection for Bunions
Another way for veterans establish service connection for bunions is through a secondary basis. Secondary service connection applies when a condition that is already service-connected leads to or worsens another disability that was not originally linked to service. In these situations, VA may treat the secondary condition as connected to military service and provide compensation for it.
For example:
- Say a veteran develops ankle arthritis after a fall they suffered during their military service. VA recognizes that the ankle arthritis is service connected, and provides the veteran a disability rating and compensation.
- Eventually, the arthritis gets to be so painful that it causes the veteran to alter their gait so that they put less pressure on their arthritic foot. Their resulting gait is awkward, but less painful.
- Over time, this new gait causes some of the bones in the veteran’s toes and feet to shift out of place, eventually leading to bunions. The veteran’s podiatrist offers a medical opinion supporting this sequence of events.
- In this case, since the veteran’s already service-connected arthritis was the root cause of their bunions, the veteran would be able to file a disability claim for hallux valgus secondary to arthritis. If their claim is successful, they could earn a bunion VA rating and compensation.
Notably, many conditions that damage the feet or cause the veteran to change how they walk could lead to bunions. This includes conditions like pes planus (flat feet) or chronic pain in the hip or knee.
What Evidence Should I Submit with a Hallux Valgus VA Claim?
Generally, veterans should submit evidence proving all the elements of service connection (current diagnosis, in-service incident, and nexus) and also the severity of their hallux valgus symptoms.
1. Medical Evidence of a Current Diagnosis
- Current podiatry or orthopedic records confirming hallux valgus.
- X-rays or imaging showing angular deformity.
- Documentation of surgical treatment, especially resection of the metatarsal head, which is a key criterion for a compensable rating.
2. Evidence of In-Service Incurrence or Aggravation
- Service treatment records (STRs) showing:
- Complaints about foot pain during service.
- Diagnosis or treatment for bunions, toe deformities, pes planus, or gait abnormalities.
- Footwear issues, excessive marching, or physical training that may have caused or aggravated symptoms.
- Line of duty documentation, if applicable.
- Separation examination findings noting foot abnormalities.
3. Nexus Evidence for Service Connection
For direct service connection, VA generally requires a competent medical opinion connecting the current hallux valgus to military service. Helpful evidence includes:
- A medical nexus letter from a podiatrist or orthopedic specialist explaining:
- How military duties (marching, carrying loads, hard-surface running, or ill-fitting footwear) can cause or aggravate hallux valgus.
- Why symptoms are consistent with service-related onset.
- Continuity of symptomatology documented in medical records from discharge to the present.
4. Evidence of Severity for Rating Purposes
VA’s rating schedule includes Diagnostic Code 5280 for hallux valgus VA ratings. DC 5280 awards either a zero percent or a ten percent rating, and VA often denies compensable ratings due to insufficient severity evidence. To get proper compensation for a severe case of bunions, a veteran should be sure to submit evidence specifically showing severity.
Veterans should submit any of the following that are available:
- Medical descriptions of functional loss, pain with use, limitation in walking or standing, swelling, and deformity.
- Evidence that symptoms approximate amputation of the great toe, which is relevant when arguing for a severe level of disability under DC 5280.
- Surgical records, if the veteran has undergone metatarsal head resection, which qualifies for the ten percent rating.
- Assistive device records, such as orthotics or bracing, if medically prescribed.
5. Lay Evidence
Veteran statements and buddy statements can strengthen a bunions VA claim, especially if STRs are limited. Helpful statements often describe:
- Onset of foot pain during marches, field exercises, deployments, or required footwear.
- Progression over time.
- Daily functional limitations, such as inability to stand for long periods, difficulty wearing normal shoes, or balance issues.
Courts have repeatedly held that veterans are competent to report observable symptoms. Lay testimony is especially important when hallux valgus began in service but was not formally diagnosed until later.
6. Evidence for Secondary Service Connection
If hallux valgus is caused or aggravated by another service-connected disability (for example, pes planus, ankle instability, or altered gait due to knee or back conditions), supporting evidence may include:
- Medical opinions connecting altered biomechanics to the bunion deformity.
- Orthopedic evaluations showing abnormal weight-bearing or gait patterns.
7. Evidence for Aggravation of Preexisting Hallux Valgus
If hallux valgus was noted at entry, a successful claim may require:
- Evidence that symptoms worsened during service beyond natural progression.
- A competent medical opinion explaining why military demands accelerated or worsened the deformity.
What Is a Compensation & Pension (C&P) Examination for Bunions?
VA often orders a C&P examination if there is some question about whether a veteran has bunions related to service. Kayla Rogers, a VA-accredited advocate at CCK Law, describes how this C&P exam might look:
“During a C&P exam for foot conditions, the examiner will perform a physical exam to confirm any diagnosis the veteran has for their foot. They’ll also discuss the onset progression and severity of the condition with the veteran, asking questions about ambulation or range of motion. They may also ask about assistive devices like shoe inserts, braces, canes, or wheelchairs, in order to determine the severity of the condition.”
Following the examination, the VA examiner will issue either a favorable opinion that supports service connection or an unfavorable opinion that does not.
It is important for veterans to ask for a copy of the C&P examination. VA is required to give veterans a copy upon request but will not otherwise provide one. If a veteran disagrees with the VA examiner’s opinion regarding service connection, they can obtain an opinion from a private physician or treating doctor outside of VA and argue against the original examiner’s conclusions.
Within the C&P examination, the VA examiner will also determine the severity of the veteran’s symptoms. If service connection is granted, official adjudicators will then assign a hallux valgus VA rating consistent with the examiner’s findings.
How Does VA Rate Hallux Valgus (Bunions)?
Generally speaking, VA rates bunions according to 38 CFR § 4.71a, Schedule of Ratings – Musculoskeletal System, Diagnostic Code 5280. While VA technically also rates bunions under Diagnostic Code 5281, this code uses the same rating criteria as code 5280. Those rating criteria are as follows:
- 10% – operated with resection of the metatarsal head
- 10% – severe, if equivalent to amputation of the great toe
Importantly, a veteran with multiple diagnosed foot conditions (e.g., bunions and pes planus) might only receive one disability rating under one diagnostic code if some of the symptoms of one diagnosis overlap with symptoms of the other.
In other words, pyramiding – the VA term for rating the same disability, or the same symptoms of a disability, twice – is not allowed. This rule prevents veterans from being compensated for the same symptom twice. However, if the diagnosed foot conditions manifest in different ways, it is possible they will be rated separately.
Bilateral Factor for Bunions
Kayla Rogers of CCK Law provides the following explanation for the bilateral factor:
“The bilateral factor is additional compensation that VA will award if a veteran has disabilities that affect both arms, both legs, or paired skeletal muscles. It’s VA’s way of recognizing that disabilities that affect both extremities are inherently more disabling.”
In other words, if both of a veteran’s feet suffer from bunions, then the bilateral factor might come into play, and the veteran may receive a higher hallux valgus VA rating than if only one foot was affected.
In most cases, the bilateral factor adds an extra 10 percent to a veteran’s overall disability calculation. Still, it is important to understand that this increase is treated in “VA math” as though it were a separate 10 percent rating, not simply added on top of the combined rating. For example, a veteran with a 30 percent combined rating would not automatically move up to 40 percent.
Another thing to note is that when it comes to foot-related conditions, the bilateral factor is not limited to situations where both feet are affected. A veteran may qualify if they have conditions impacting opposite sides of the body—such as one foot and one knee—even if only one foot itself is involved.
VA Compensation for Hallux Valgus
Typically, the higher a veteran’s hallux valgus VA rating, the greater their monthly compensation will be.
As of 2026, the VA disability rate benefit amounts are as follows:
- 0 percent disability rating: $0.00 per month
- 10 percent disability rating: $180.42 per month
- 20 percent disability rating: $356.66 per month
- 30 percent disability rating: $552.47 per month
- 40 percent disability rating: $795.84 per month
- 50 percent disability rating: $1,132.90 per month
- 60 percent disability rating: $1,435.02 per month
- 70 percent disability rating: $1,808.45 per month
- 80 percent disability rating: $2,102.15 per month
- 90 percent disability rating: $2,362.30 per month
- 100 percent disability rating: $3,938.58 per month
Veterans with eligible dependents—such as a spouse or children—may also qualify for additional monthly payments, which can further increase the overall benefit they receive.
