Claiming Morton's Neuroma / Foot Nerve Condition?
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VA Rating Tiers
30%
severe
20%
moderate
10%
mild
0%
Meets minimum criteria
Rating Notes
- ›30%: Marked Morton's neuroma — severe interdigital nerve pain limiting weight-bearing. DC 5284 by analogy.
- ›20%: Moderately severe — significant forefoot pain and numbness with functional impact on walking. DC 5284 by analogy.
- ›10%: Moderate — recurring burning or tingling foot pain limiting prolonged standing. DC 5284 by analogy.
- ›0%: Mild symptoms — service connected but non-compensable.
- ›Rated under DC 5284 (foot, other) by analogy — no specific Morton's neuroma DC exists.
- ›Rating is based on degree of functional impairment and limitation of ambulation.
- ›If flat feet or metatarsalgia are also present, those may be rated separately.
- ›MRI or ultrasound confirming neuroma mass is the strongest objective evidence.
- ›Post-surgical neurectomy claims may also qualify — residual symptoms after surgery still rate.
Eligibility Basics
✅
Current symptoms
✅
In-service event
✅
Diagnosis or lay evidence
- •Morton's neuroma is rated under DC 5284 (foot, other) by analogy — no specific VA diagnostic code exists.
- •Rating is based on the degree of functional impairment, not a specific rating schedule percentage.
- •Common in veterans from prolonged marching, rucking, and constrictive military footwear.
- •MRI or ultrasound confirming the neuroma mass is the most objective diagnostic evidence.
- •Mulder's click (clinical test) and footwear modification history document treatment efforts.
- •Flat feet or metatarsalgia are common co-conditions that may be rated separately.
Evidence to Gather
Service Records
- •records of forefoot or metatarsal pain during service
- •sick call records for ball of foot pain, burning, or toe numbness
- •records of marching, rucking, or prolonged standing causing forefoot pain
- •records of constrictive footwear requirements during service
Medical Evidence
- •physician or podiatrist evaluation documenting Morton's neuroma
- •MRI of the foot confirming neuroma at the interdigital space
- •ultrasound of the forefoot confirming neuroma mass
- •records of corticosteroid injection for Morton's neuroma
- •surgical records if neurectomy (nerve excision) was performed
Lay Evidence (Buddy Statements)
- •statement describing the marching, rucking, and footwear demands during service that caused forefoot pain
- •statement describing when burning or shooting foot pain first began
- •buddy statement noting observed foot pain or difficulty walking during service
Diagnostic Tests
- •Mulder's click (clinical — squeeze metatarsal heads transversely; click or pain = positive)
- •MRI of the foot (neuroma confirmation, size measurement)
- •Ultrasound of the forefoot (interdigital neuroma mass)
- •X-ray of the foot (rule out metatarsal stress fracture or bony pathology)
- •Sensory testing in the affected web space
C&P Exam Preparation
Exam type: Musculoskeletal / Foot — Morton's Neuroma
Be ready to describe
- •which foot is affected and exactly which toes or web space is painful
- •the burning, shooting, or numb quality of symptoms
- •the in-service activities that caused the condition (marching, tight boots)
- •whether removing shoes and massaging the foot relieves symptoms
- •how far you can walk before the pain becomes significant
Prep notes
- •Be ready to describe exactly which toes are affected — typically third and fourth.
- •Tell the examiner the burning, electric, or numb quality of the symptoms.
- •Describe whether tight shoes worsen pain and whether removing shoes provides relief.
- •Bring MRI or ultrasound reports if available.
- •Mention any injections or surgery you have had, and whether symptoms improved or returned.
Quick Facts
- Diagnostic Code
- DC 5284
- Category
- Neurological
- Subcategory
- Peripheral Nerves / Foot
- Typical Claim Type
- direct
- Rating Range
- 0% – 30%
Also Known As
Morton's neuromaMortons neuromainterdigital neuromaplantar digital neuromaforefoot nerve painmetatarsal nerve painball of foot nervebetween toe nerve painthird web space neuromametatarsal neuralgiafoot nerve tumorfoot neuromaburning forefoot paintoe nerve pain
Related Conditions
Secondary to
Commonly leads to
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