Hammer Toes

DC 5282Musculoskeletal38 CFR 4.71a, DC 5282

A deformity where one or more toes bend abnormally at the middle joint, resembling a hammer. The VA rates hammer toes based on how many toes are affected.

Rating Levels

You have hammer toes affecting all toes on one foot, without claw foot. This is the maximum rating under this code.

What the VA looks for

Hammer toe deformity of all toes on one foot
No claw foot deformity
Physical examination documenting all affected toes

Common Pitfalls

⚠Single hammer toes are rated at 0% — you need all toes on one foot affected for a compensable 10% rating. However, a 0% rating still establishes service connection, which matters for secondary claims.
⚠Not checking if your condition qualifies as claw foot (DC 5278) instead — claw foot has higher ratings and is a different condition from hammer toes.
⚠Not filing for other foot conditions separately — hammer toes often occur alongside bunions, flatfoot, or plantar fasciitis.
⚠Not documenting pain, callosities, and difficulty wearing shoes — these functional impacts help support the claim and potential secondary conditions.

Related DBQ Forms

DBQ Foot Conditions (Other)

View evidence checklist →See secondary conditions →

Condition Rating Guides

Understand what the VA looks for at each rating level — loading conditions…