Loss of use of both feet — VA Diagnostic Code 5110

DC 5244, traumatic paralysis, complete, says “Paraplegia: Rate under diagnostic code 5110.” It says “Quadriplegia: Rate separately under diagnostic codes 5109 and 5110 and combine evaluations in accordance with § 4.25.” Its note says that if traumatic paralysis does not cause loss of use of both hands or both feet, it is incomplete paralysis, and to evaluate residuals of incomplete traumatic paralysis under the appropriate diagnostic code, for example § 4.124a, Diseases of the Peripheral Nerves. DC 5244 is that code. 38 CFR § 4.25 is the combined-ratings section that quadriplegia sentence names.

38 CFR § 4.63 defines loss of use of a hand or a foot, for the purpose of special monthly compensation. It uses the singular “a foot.” The comparison for the foot is balance and propulsion, and so on, against an amputation stump at the site of election below elbow or knee with use of a suitable prosthetic appliance. Paragraph (b) says complete paralysis of the external popliteal nerve (common peroneal) and consequent, footdrop, with the organic changes that paragraph lists, will be taken as loss of use of the foot. Section 4.63 does not assign the DC 5110 percentage. The DC 5110 title is both feet.

DC 5125 is loss of use of the hand, in the Amputations: Upper Extremity table, at 70 major and 60 minor. Its footnote says “Entitled to special monthly compensation.” It does not say “Also.” DC 5284 is foot injuries, other. Its note says “With actual loss of use of the foot, rate 40 percent.” That is one foot, at 40. It is not DC 5110. 38 CFR § 4.7 assigns the higher rating when the disability picture more nearly approximates the criteria required for that rating. Otherwise, the lower rating will be assigned. 38 CFR § 4.6 requires each element affecting the evidence to be studied so that decisions will be equitable and just. 38 CFR § 4.31 says that in every instance where the schedule does not provide a zero percent evaluation for a diagnostic code, a zero percent evaluation shall be assigned when the requirements for a compensable evaluation are not met. DC 5110 does not print a 0 percent line.

The next table caption is “Table II—Ratings for Multiple Losses of Extremities With Dictator's Rating Code and 38 CFR Citation.” That caption prints “Dictator's.” The table cites § 3.350. It does not print the number 5110. 38 CFR § 4.68 is the amputation rule. Its example is the 40 percent evaluation under diagnostic code 5165. The example does not name DC 5110.

Source: 38 CFR § 4.71a, Diagnostic Code 5110, eCFR full-text XML for 2026-10-01.