38 CFR Part 4 — 38 CFR § 4.71a
Toes, all, amputation of, without metatarsal loss or transmetatarsal, amputation of, with up to half of metatarsal loss — VA Diagnostic Code 5170
Musculoskeletal
Diagnostic code
5170
38 CFR § 4.71a lists Diagnostic Code 5170 in the table captioned “Amputations: Lower Extremity.” The row is “Toes, all, amputation of, without metatarsal loss or transmetatarsal, amputation of, with up to half of metatarsal loss”. The row does not end with a period. There is a comma after “transmetatarsal” in the schedule. The rating is 30. The 30 does not carry a superscript. The table has one Rating column. Appendix B to Part 4 uses the same words and adds a period.
Reviewed 2026-10-05. Text checked against the eCFR versioner full-text XML for 2026-10-01 on 2026-10-05. Title 38 was up to date as of 2026-10-01 and last amended on 2026-08-27. The § 4.71a source note prints 29 FR 6718, May 22, 1964, as amended at 34 FR 5062, Mar. 11, 1969; 40 FR 42536, Sept. 15, 1975; 41 FR 11294, Mar. 18, 1976; 43 FR 45350, Oct. 2, 1978; 51 FR 6411, Feb. 24, 1986; 61 FR 20439, May 7, 1996; 67 FR 48785, July 26, 2002; 67 FR 54349, Aug. 22, 2002; 68 FR 51456, Aug. 27, 2003; 69 FR 32450, June 10, 2004; 80 FR 42041, July 16, 2015; 85 FR 76460, Nov. 30, 2020, 85 FR 85523, Dec. 29, 2020, 86 FR 8142, Feb. 4, 2021. The § 4.63 source note prints 29 FR 6718, May 22, 1964, as amended at 43 FR 45349, Oct. 2, 1978.
The rating criteria at each level
5170 Toes, all, amputation of — one Rating column
Rating %: 30
Criteria (verbatim). Toes, all, amputation of, without metatarsal loss or transmetatarsal, amputation of, with up to half of metatarsal loss
| Rating % | Criteria (verbatim) |
|---|---|
| 30 | Toes, all, amputation of, without metatarsal loss or transmetatarsal, amputation of, with up to half of metatarsal loss |
The lower-extremity table has one Rating column. It does not split Major and Minor.
The 30 does not have a superscript. Footnote 2 of this table reads: Also entitled to special monthly compensation. That footnote is printed on the earlier rows that carry superscript 2. It is not printed on the 30 of DC 5170.
The row says “up to half of metatarsal loss.” It also says “without metatarsal loss.” The comma after “transmetatarsal” is in the schedule text.
DC 5166 is “Forefoot, amputation proximal to metatarsal bones (more than one-half of metatarsal loss)”, superscript 2 and 40. That parenthetical says “more than one-half.” DC 5170 says “up to half.” DC 5167 is “Foot, loss of use of,” also superscript 2 and 40. DC 5171 is the great toe: 30 with removal of the metatarsal head, and 10 without metatarsal involvement. DC 5172 is toes other than the great toe, with removal of the metatarsal head: one or two is 20, and without metatarsal involvement is 0. DC 5173 is three or four toes without metatarsal involvement: 20 including the great toe, and 10 not including the great toe. Those 5173 numbers also have no superscript.
38 CFR § 4.68 says the combined rating for disabilities of an extremity shall not exceed the rating for the amputation at the elective level, were amputation to be performed. The example is the 40 percent evaluation, diagnostic code 5165. The example does not name DC 5170. 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.
The code prints no 0 percent line. 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. 38 CFR § 3.350(a) names anatomical loss or loss of use of one foot among the losses payable under 38 U.S.C. 1114(k). The DC 5170 cell does not carry footnote 2. This page does not state a payment amount.
The 2026-10-01 text of 38 CFR § 3.309 does not contain “metatarsal.” DC 5170 is a rating-schedule line.
Source: 38 CFR § 4.71a, Diagnostic Code 5170, eCFR full-text XML for 2026-10-01.
What the words mean in your records
One row at 30
The schedule puts without-metatarsal-loss amputation of all the toes, and transmetatarsal amputation with up to half of metatarsal loss, on the same 30 percent row.
The comma after transmetatarsal
The row reads “without metatarsal loss or transmetatarsal, amputation of, with up to half of metatarsal loss”. The comma is in the rating table. Appendix B keeps that comma and adds a period at the end.
No superscript on the 30
Footnote 2, “Also entitled to special monthly compensation,” is on the rows that print superscript 2, including forefoot amputation with more than one-half of metatarsal loss. DC 5170’s 30 does not print that superscript.
Evidence that speaks to each level
30
What the rater needs to see. Amputation of all the toes without metatarsal loss, or a transmetatarsal amputation with up to half of metatarsal loss, which is the DC 5170 row.
Where that usually lives. The amputation record, including how much of the metatarsals remains.
A different forefoot row
What the rater needs to see. More than one-half of metatarsal loss is the DC 5166 parenthetical, at 40 with superscript 2. That is a different row from “up to half.”
Where that usually lives. The same operative record, read against DC 5166 when the loss is more than one-half.
VA’s public DBQ list, checked October 5, 2026, names “Amputations” and “Foot Conditions Including Flatfoot (Pes Planus)” under Musculoskeletal. The files are Amputations and Foot Conditions Including Flatfoot (Pes Planus).
The exam form
DC 5170 prints 30, with no superscript. This page does not say either form replaces that row.
Related codes and how they interact
More than one-half of the metatarsals is a different code.
DC 5166 is forefoot amputation proximal to the metatarsal bones when more than one-half of the metatarsal is lost, at 40 with superscript 2. DC 5170 stops at up to half, at 30, with no superscript.
Secondary conditions and presumptions
Section 3.309 does not contain “metatarsal.” DC 5170 is a rating-schedule line. The 30 does not carry footnote 2.
A separate question, when a presumption does not decide it, is a medical question on the facts under 38 CFR § 3.310. Paragraph (a) covers disability proximately due to or the result of a service-connected disease or injury. Paragraph (b) covers increase in severity and requires a medical baseline.
Short answers
How does VA rate amputation of all the toes?
Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, Diagnostic Code 5170 is 30 percent for amputation of all the toes without metatarsal loss, or transmetatarsal amputation with up to half of metatarsal loss. The 30 does not carry a superscript. Education only. VA decides on the evidence.
What does the amputation rule say about this code?
Section 4.68 says the combined rating for disabilities of an extremity shall not exceed the rating for the amputation at the elective level, were amputation to be performed. Its example is diagnostic code 5165. The example does not name DC 5170.
FAQ
What number does DC 5170 print?
30. The row covers amputation of all the toes without metatarsal loss, and transmetatarsal amputation with up to half of metatarsal loss. The 30 has no superscript. Education only.
Where is more than half of the metatarsal rated?
DC 5166 is forefoot amputation proximal to the metatarsal bones, more than one-half of metatarsal loss, at 40. That 40 carries superscript 2. Footnote 2 says “Also entitled to special monthly compensation.” DC 5170 does not print that superscript.
Does the row end with a period?
The rating-table row does not. Appendix B uses the same words, including the comma after “transmetatarsal,” and adds a period.
Next steps
- Read the decision for DC 5170 and whether the record describes up to half of metatarsal loss or more than one-half.
- The free worksheet is a place to write the code, the findings, and the records you already have. It does not file a claim or protect a filing date. An accredited representative is at find a VSO.
- Other musculoskeletal codes are on the musculoskeletal diagnostic-code index. The category page is musculoskeletal conditions.
Education only. Not legal or medical advice. My Claim Packet is not a VA-accredited representative and does not file claims. VA decides every claim on its own evidence.
Other codes in this body system
Nearby catalog entries in Musculoskeletal, ordered by diagnostic code number. All Musculoskeletal codes
- DC 5160Complete amputation, lower extremity
- DC 5161Thigh amputation, upper third
- DC 5162Thigh amputation, middle or lower thirds
- DC 5163Leg amputation with a defective stump, thigh amputation recommended
- DC 5164Leg amputation not improvable by a prosthesis controlled by natural knee action
- DC 5165Leg amputation at a lower level, permitting a prosthesis
- DC 5166Forefoot amputation proximal to the metatarsal bones (more than one-half of the metatarsal lost)
- DC 5167Foot, loss of use of
- DC 5171Great toe, amputation
- DC 5172Toes other than the great toe, amputation with removal of the metatarsal head
- DC 5173Three or four toes, amputation without metatarsal involvement
- DC 5200Scapulohumeral articulation, ankylosis
- DC 5201Arm, limitation of motion
- DC 5202Humerus, other impairment
- DC 5203Clavicle or scapula, impairment
- DC 5205Elbow, ankylosis
Also: DC code lookup (tools) lists the same index in a compact layout.
Source: 38 CFR Part 4, Diagnostic Code 5170 • va.gov
⚠️ Important Disclaimer
This page provides general educational information based on public VA regulations and VA.gov resources. It is not legal or medical advice, and My Claim Packet is not a VA-accredited representative. Any worksheets or draft documents produced by the tools must be reviewed for accuracy and are not filed with VA for you. Ratings and service connection are decided case-by-case from the individual record. Consult a VA-accredited VSO, claims agent, attorney, or qualified clinician for help with your situation, and verify current rules using the linked official source.