Deformity causing one or more lesser toes to bend downward at middle joint, resembling a hammer. May be flexible (correctable manually) or rigid (fixed deformity). Causes corns, calluses, pain, and difficulty with footwear. Often secondary to muscle imbalance, arthritis, or improper footwear. Can affect single or multiple toes.
Severe deformity. Severe rigid deformities of multiple toes with ulceration or severe pain, marked difficulty with footwear and ambulation, may require surgical intervention
Moderate deformity. Multiple rigid hammer toes, frequent pain and calluses, difficulty finding comfortable footwear, noticeable impact on walking
Mild deformity. Single rigid hammer toe or multiple flexible hammer toes, minimal pain, managed with padding and proper shoes
Flexible deformity, asymptomatic, no functional impairment
Medical Evidence
Current diagnosis from a qualified healthcare provider, medical records documenting symptoms and treatment history
Service Connection
Evidence linking your condition to military service (service treatment records, incident reports, or nexus letter)
Personal Statement
Your detailed account of how hammer toe affects your daily life and when symptoms began
Lay Evidence
Buddy letters from fellow service members or family who can corroborate your symptoms
During your Compensation & Pension exam for hammer toe, examiners will assess your symptoms against the rating criteria above.
Be specific: Describe your worst day, not your average day
Document everything: Bring copies of all medical records and evidence
Functional impact: Explain how symptoms affect work, sleep, and daily activities
VA Claims Assistant
Hey! I'm Scout, your VA claims assistant. I can help with questions about conditions, ratings, secondary connections, C&P exams, and more. What can I help you with?
Powered by ClaimDuty AI · Not legal or medical advice