Shin Splints (Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome)
Shin splints are rated under Diagnostic Code 5262 based on the duration of treatment and response to conservative and surgical treatments. The veteran can only get one rating for tibia and fibula impairment or shin splints (not both). If bilateral shin splints cause pain with motion, only a single pain with motion rating can be granted for the shin splints.
VA Rating Levels
Treatment for less than 12 consecutive months, one or both legs.
Requiring treatment for no less than 12 consecutive months and unresponsive to either shoe orthotics or other conservative treatment, one or both legs.
Requiring treatment for no less than 12 consecutive months and unresponsive to surgery and either shoe orthotics or other conservative treatment, one leg.
Requiring treatment for no less than 12 consecutive months and unresponsive to surgery and either shoe orthotics or other conservative treatment, both legs.
Exam Tips & Key Evidence
- →If you have bilateral shin splints, pain with motion can only result in one pain-with-motion rating, not one for each leg.
- →You can't get a pain-with-motion rating for shin splints if you already have a service-connected knee or ankle condition where pain with motion is already being applied to the same joint.
- →However, if your shin pain stays localized to the shin and doesn't affect a service-connected ankle or knee, a separate pain-with-motion rating can still be applied.
Commonly Related Conditions
38 CFR Reference
38 CFR 4.71a, Diagnostic Code 5262