When you visit web sites, they may store or retrieve data in your web browser. Click Go Elite Now below to get started today and a member of our team will be in touch within minutes. If you're service-connected for both pes planus and plantar fasciitis, the VA will only count the condition with the highest rating when calculating your overall rating. Specifically, having flat feet can place more pressure on the veterans heels. There are 3 primary ways a veteran can get a flat feet VA rating: The VA rates flat feet using Title 38 CFR, Part 4, Schedule for Rating Disabilities, Diagnostic Code (DC) 5276, Flatfoot, Acquired. Okay, veterans lets take a minute to explore the law regarding the symptoms and impairment required to warrant a VA disability rating for plantar fasciitis. This matter returns to the Court following a July 9, 2012, memorandum decision that, interalia, vacated, in part, an October 12, 2010, Board decision and remanded the issue of entitlementto an initial disability rating greater than 10% for bilateral plantar fasciitis. Signup to never miss a beat with special offers, blog updates, exclusive trainings, and more delivered right to your inbox! There is also a bilateral factormeaning veterans can get a higher VA rating for plantar fasciitis if they have the disability in both feet. The thick, fibrous band that moves the digits of your foot, called the fascia, can become inflamed, causing swelling and pain on the bottom of the foot and sometimes even into the toes. To qualify a veteran must experience marked pronation (inward rolling of the foot). eCFR :: 38 CFR 4.26 -- Bilateral factor. Plantar fasciitis can make walking and other physical activities significantly more difficult. These cookies dont collect information that identifies you. The effects of flat feet can vary greatly from case to case. Effective February 7, 2021, plantar fasciitis has its own diagnostic code (DC) 5269 with ratings that What are Flat Feet (Pes Planus) in Veterans? These cookies allow the website to remember choices you make to give you better functionality and preferences such as text size, fonts and other customizable website elements. Does the Veteran have characteristic calluses? 203, San Jose, CA 95134 If a veteran has been recommended for surgical intervention but is not a surgical candidate, evaluate under the 20% or 30% criteria, whichever is applicable. Both of these conditions can cause severe pain and disability. Effective February 7, 2021, plantar fasciitis has its own diagnostic code (DC) 5269 with ratings that range from 10% to 30%, with a break at 20%. However, if the veteran has actual loss of use of the foot, the rating is 40%. Estimate your 2023 VA Rating & Compensation for FREE! 38 CFR 4.71a - Schedule of ratings - musculoskeletal system. However, in some cases, it can become a chronic condition. Repetitive stretching and tearing of the plantar facia can result in pain and inflammation. How to handle your C&P Exam for your VA benefits. The legal firm of Hill & Ponton is here to help. To enhance your chances of success, you shouldalso talk to aVA disability lawyer. VA Disability Ratings for Flat Feet - Hill & Ponton, P.A. Confidential or time-sensitive information should not be sent through this form. 9. If your case of plantar fasciitis is deemed severe, you may be eligible to receive a VA disability rating of 20-30%. Whether a veteran receives a 20 or 30 percent disability rating depends on if the plantar fasciitis is unilateral, affecting only one foot, or bilateral, affecting both feet. Estimate your 2023 VA Rating & Compensation for FREE! To calculate what effect yourVA disability rating for foot pain will have on your compensation package, you can use ourVA disability calculator. Understanding the Plantar Fasciitis VA Rating These cookies allow the website to remember choices you make to give you better functionality and personal features. Research has shownthat veterans are at a much higher risk of developing these conditions. For a limited time, you can book a free, no-obligation VA Claim Discovery Call with one of our experts. The bilateral factor is when a veteran has a disability that affects either both arms, both legs, or paired skeletal muscles. The max rating for bilateral pes planus is 50% the max rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis is 30%. The most trusted name in education-based resources for Veterans. These cookies do not store any personal information. Is the marked inward displacement and severe spasm of the Achilles tendon improved by orthopedic shoes or appliances? Brian isalso the CEOofMilitary Disability Made Easy, which is the worlds largest free searchable database for all things related to DoD disability and VA disability claims and has served more than 4,600,000 military members and veterans since its founding in 2013. VA Disability Ratings for Plantar Fasciitis - Hill & Ponton, P.A. If you apply, and this is granted to you, you will be compensated at the 100% level. Disclaimer: This information is not legal advice. If you have bilateral plantar fasciitis, you could be eligible to receive aVAdisability rating for foot pain of 50%. Many veterans suffer from various foot conditions, VA Rating for Plantar Fasciitis: Common Symptoms in Veterans, WATCH: VA Disability Claims for Plantar Fasciitis (NEW Tips! Do You Need Help Getting VA Disability for Flat Feet and Plantar Fasciitis? Veterans who receive a diagnosis of plantar fasciitis leaving the military might still be eligible if medical evidence shows heel pain is proximately due to or aggravated by another service-connected disability such as knee strain, hip conditions, and/or back conditions. Finally rated at 70%. 50 Percent Flat Feet VA Rating (Bilateral), 30 Percent VA Rating for Pes Planus (Unilateral), 30 Percent VA Disability Rating for Flat Feet (Bilateral), 20 Percent VA Rating for Pes Planus (Unilateral), 10 Percent Pes Planus VA Rating (Bilateral or Unilateral), 0 Percent VA Rating for Flat Feet (Bilateral or Unilateral). Veterans who receive a diagnosis of plantar fasciitis after they leave the military may be able to claim a secondary service connection if they can prove their heel pain developed or worsened due to a condition such as existing knee, hip, or back pain. Flat feet are considered a type of foot deformity (that can be exacerbated or triggered by strain). We guide our clients through the most difficult times in their lives with courtesy, respect, and professionalism. Many veterans have flat feet aggravated by military service (beyond their natural progression), in which case, youre eligible for VA disability benefits based upon aggravation of a pre-service disability, assuming you have medical evidence showing that your flat feet worsened over time. Rating 5269 Plantar fasciitis: No relief from both non-surgical and surgical treatment, bilateral: 30 . VA rates veterans with flatfoot under38 C.F.R 4.71a, diagnostic code 5276. Note: Diagnostic Testing is not necessary for every condition. 23. Other conditions linked to flat feet in a bi-directional relationship include leg length differences, pregnancy, Marfans syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, and scoliosis, obesity, injuries to your foot or ankles, and diabetes. This storage is often necessary for basic functionality of the web site or the storage may be used for the purposes of marketing, analytics, and personalization of the web site such as storing your preferences. If youre trying to increase your VA disability rating for flat feet, you need to prove to the VA that your symptoms are now worse and warrant the higher rating criteria by law. Is there objective evidence of marked deformity of one or both feet (pronation, abduction, etc.)? you viewed to avoid repetition. The information these cookies collect will not personally identify you, and they cannot track your browsing activity on other websites. Without these cookies, services you have asked for cannot be provided. 16. Common examples include losing weight, wearing orthopedic shoes, wearing shoe inserts, or buying shoes with arch support. Yes, plantar fasciitis is a VA disability and can be rated at 10%, 20%, or 30%, depending upon unilateral (one foot) versus bilateral (both feet) and the severity of your symptoms. Does the Veteran use arch supports or built-up shoes? yet assertive representation for our clients. It involves inflammation of the thick band of tissue that runs across the bottom of your foot and connects your heel bone to your toes (called the Plantar Fascia). Since that time, we have provided compassionate Both flat feet and plantar fasciitisare often caused by genetic conditions. A medical nexus, which offers proof the health condition for which the veteran requests VA disability benefits was caused (or worsened) by his or her military service. There are several types of evidence that may help support your claim for secondary service connection, including: If your pes planus and plantar fasciitis prevent you working, you may be eligible for total disability based on individual unemployability, or TDIU. Cookies help us deliver the best experience on our website. Have you been affected by Camp Lejeune water contamination? For example, it may be that your condition is asecondary service-connected disability. If you experience the following, then your plantar fasciitis case may be deemed pronounced by the VA: If these elements are present, and you have plantar fasciitis in one foot, you may receive a disability rating of 30%. A veterans final VA disability rating for plantar fasciitis depends upon the frequency, severity, and duration of symptoms. TDIU stands for total disability individual unemployability. document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_3" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_4" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_5" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Were you stationed at Camp Lejeune before 1987? Then it would go in order of severity, in this case 50% for the pes planus + 30% for plantar fasciitis = VA math + 10% bilateral factor = Total disability rating? Heres a quick litmus test: If it feels like a knife is being jammed into the bottom of your heel, especially during the first few steps out of bed in the morning or shortly after a workout, chances are you might have plantar fasciitis. Because the symptoms associated with flat feet and plantar fasciitis are so similar, its highly unlikely to get separate VA ratings for flat feet and plantar fasciitis due to theavoidance of pyramiding. On this form, veterans will want to ensure that they are filing for plantar fasciitis as secondary to pes planus. The photo below is an example of yellow calluses and cracking of the heel. Many veterans have or develop plantar fasciitis, and common signs and symptoms include: You may get some relief by icing, taking pain medications, wearing a brace, heel inserts in shoes, night splints, and in extreme cases, cortisone shots directly into the affected area. The #1 best way to increase your VA rating for pes planus is to have objective medical evidence that shows how your symptoms have worsened over time. This is why flat feet canbe directly connected as a service-related disability. 22. Our experienced team has helped many veterans win the benefits they deserve. Is there indication of swelling on use? Pain may start in the heel and move towards the toes. Sign up for our weekly email newsletter to stay updated on VA news, policy changes, and more. Pes planus, often known as flat feet, is a foot deformity where the arch of the foot is flattened to the point where it may even touch the ground. In my MEPS record they marked my feet down as Mild Pes Planus Asymptomatic. By using our website, you agree to the use of certain cookies. According to the Mayo Clinic, Your plantar fascia is in the shape of a bowstring, supporting the arch of your foot and absorbing shock when you walk. CCK Recognized for Donations to American Veterans Disabled For Life Memorial, CCK Successfully Argues for a Precedential Decision About Protected Work Environment, A Day in the Life of a Paralegal (Claims Advocate) at CCK. A medical diagnosis of plantar fasciitis (Heel Pain) in VA medical records or private records (unless you already have a diagnosis in your service treatment records). Veterans can be rated between0 percentand50 percenton a scale of mild (least severe) to pronounced (most severe). The only time you would then get a bilateral factor is if you have BOTH bilateral pes planus and bilateral plantar fasciitis. Finally, we invite you to contact us and we welcome your calls, letters and electronic mail. Phoenix, AZ: One Renaissance Tower, Two North Central Avenue, 18th & 19th Floor, Phoenix, AZ 85004 20. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. Its FREE to get started, so click Go Elite Now below to complete our 3-step intake process. 14. Veterans can be rated between0 percentand50 percenton a scale of mild (least severe) to pronounced (most severe). What happens in the foot can affect the ankle. Does procured evidence (statements from the Veteran) suggest pain, fatigability, weakness, lack of endurance, or incoordination which significantly limits functional ability during flare-ups and/or after repeated use over time? If you're service-connected for bilateral pes planus, that's likely the higher rating due to the addition of the bilateral factor (when you have a condition on both sides of . You might even have medical records of treatment for pes planus or plantar fasciitis while in service. These cookies allow the website to remember choices you make to give you better functionality and personal features. If a veteran has bilateral pes planus, then the condition affects both feet. Veterans have the right to request a copy of their medical records from a C & P exam if it comes back unfavorable for establishing a primary service connection. To file a claim for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis, veterans will need to fill out and submit VA Form 21-526, Application for Disability Compensation and Related Compensation Benefits. The following 24-questions will be answered by the C&P examiner on the electronic version of the Disability Benefits Questionnaire for Foot Conditions, Including Flatfoot (Pes Planus). According to statistics, roughly18 million adultsin the US have flat feet and approximately2 millionsuffer from plantar fasciitis. 6. This website adheres to the W3Cs AA Accessibility guidelines. 2. Pes planus, flatfoot, is rated for acquired flatfoot. They are not intended as a guarantee that we will obtain the same or similar results in every case we undertake. By using our website, you agree to the use of certain cookies. Plantar Fasciitis and Pes Planus VA Rating, Learn About CCK's Partnership with DAV and Harvard Law School, - Learn About CCK's Partnership with DAV and Harvard Law School. A special disability rating of 20 or 30 percent applies to veterans who received a surgical recommendation from their doctor but are not a candidate for surgery. Box 449, Deland, FL 32721, Orlando, FL: 605 E. Robinson Street Suite 635, Orlando, FL 32801 To file a claim for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis, veterans will need to fill out and submit VA Form 21-526, Application for Disability Compensation and Related Compensation Benefits. We advocate for the disabled. The reason it is a risk is that the arch of ones foot directly acts to protect the tissue of the plantar fascia. Flat feet are a common condition thats usually painless; however, they can become painful over time due to overuse, obesity, running, military combat boots, or wearing poor insoles. Why Hire CCK for Your VA Disability Appeal? They may be used by those companies to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant advertisements on other websites. Cincinnati, OH: 300 E Business Way, Suite 200, Summit Woods Corporate Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45241 When these tendons do not pull properly, the foot has little or no arch, resulting in flat feet. While we still have our home base in Florida, This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Many veterans suffer from various foot conditions due to their military service, including severe heel pain, aka, plantar fasciitis. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Veterans who have plantar fasciitis and experienced the actual loss of use of the foot qualify for a 40 percent disability rating. However, activities and conditions that place strain on the feet can often aggravate the condition, resulting in pain, tissue damage, and difficulty with movement. A showing of causation requires that the secondary disability be shown to be proximately due to or proximately aggravated by another service-connected disability. For example, maybe your bilateral heel pain is so severe, that you have difficulty walking and require help during periods of flareups. Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain in veterans. How the VA Ratings for Plantar Fasciitis and Flat Feet Work FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: How to File a Claim on VA.gov (step-by-step)! As servicemembers often have to run for long distances during training, sometimes wearing boots, this can cause them to develop pes planus, and in turn, plantar fasciitis. 11. THEN 30 and THEN 50%. 21:30 Request a referral from your primary care or VA doctor to see a Podiatrist. They do not store directly personal information, but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. Let's talk about your VA disability benefits. Whats more,you only have to pay for our services if we win your case for you. bilateral foot disorder as secondary to a service-connected left knee disability. These cookies are also used to let affiliates know if you came to one of our websites from an affiliate and if your visit resulted in the use or purchase of a product or service from us, including details of the product or service purchased. If youre stuck, frustrated, underrated, and currently rated between 0%-90%, VA Claims Insider Elite is for you! You may be owed compensation. Also, both unilateral and bilateral plantar fasciitis are common secondary VA disability claims, especially plantar fasciitis secondary to lower extremity conditions such as knees, joints, hips, and back. So, it implicates VA's bilateral factor. Your final VA rating for pes planus depends upon whether the condition is unilateral or bilateral as well as the severity of your symptoms in terms of frequency, severity, and duration. we represent clients nationwide. 19. Serviceenvironments are a common cause orcontributing factorof flat feet and plantar fasciitis. ), pain on manipulation and use accentuated, indication of swelling on use, characteristic callosities (yellow calluses). Maybe you enjoy running and working out, but youve had to stop or significantly alter your routines because of your plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis is a common condition of the foot in which the plantar fascia, a thick band of tissue running across the bottom of the foot connecting the heel bone to the toes, becomes inflamed. They do not store directly personal information, but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. I have only been in the military for a year from 2004 - 2005. The second part can be satisfied with a veterans existing service-connected disability rated at 0 percent or higher. Fill out the short form below to contact us. If you are experiencing plantar fasciitis that can be relieved by shoe inserts and arch supports then the VA will likely give you a non-compensable rating of 0%. Pes Planus is a condition of the foot in which the arches on the inside of your foot are flattened, allowing the entire sole of your foot to touch the, Rheumatoid arthritis, or more commonly known as RA, is an autoimmune disease in which the bodys immune system mistakenly attacks the joints. 38 C.F.R. I'm at 50% for this exact disability (bilateral plantar fasciitis with pes planus) You can not get a separate rating for both conditions - you would get a single lumped one as u/overcookedfantasy said. Brian Reeseis a VA benefits expert, author of the #1 Amazon Bestseller You Deserve It: The Definitive Guide to Getting the Veteran Benefits Youve Earned, andfounder of VA Claims InsiderThe Most Trusted Name in Education-Based Resources for Veterans.. A doctor must also submit in writing that any secondary conditions, including plantar fasciitis, worsened strictly due to military service and not natural disease progression. In veterans with symptoms, there may be complaints of the midfoot, heels, lower legs, knees, hips, and or back pain, which can all be linked and rated as secondary conditions to flat feet. Youll want to explain to the C&P examiner HOW your severe heel pain is limiting or affecting your work, life, and social functioning. Veterans Benefits Network-Pes Planus / Plantar Fasciitis Combined If yes, indicate the side(s) affected and if pain is accentuated on use. The 10 percent VA rating for pes planus is appropriate for moderate symptoms such as weight-bearing line over or medial to great toe, inward bowing of the tendo achillis, pain on manipulation and use of the feet, bilateral or unilateral. Unilateral means that only one foot is affected, while bilateral means that both feet have developed symptoms. Plantar Fasciitis and Secondary VA Claims, Top 3 Ways to Get a VA Rating for Flat Feet (The Insiders Guide). These cookies collect information about how you use our website. However, certain activities that place strain on the feet can trigger or cause the symptoms. The 30 percent VA rating is appropriate for severe unilateral flat feet pronounced with marked pronation, extreme tenderness of plantar surfaces of the feet, marked inward displacement and severe spasm of the tendo achillis on manipulation, not improved by orthopedic shoes or appliances. He is aformer active duty Air Force officerwith extensive experience leading hundreds of individuals and multi-functional teams in challenging international environments, including a combat tour to Afghanistan in 2011 supporting Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. Does the Veteran have inward bowing of the Achilles tendon (i.e., hindfoot valgus, with lateral deviation of the heel) of one or both feet? Your VAdisability rating for foot pain from pes planus or plantar fasciitis can affect your overall disability rating and compensation in a number of ways. List of VA Secondary Conditions to Flat Feet. To find out more, view our Privacy Policy. Top 3 Ways to Get a VA Rating for Flat Feet (The Insider's Guide) If during your examination the VA doctor findscertain qualifying criteria, youmay be assigned a VA disability rating of 10%. As a fellow disabled Veteran this is shameful and Im on a mission to change it. An important requirement for VA disability rating purposes is whether your foot condition is congenital or acquired. All Rights Reserved. When this occurs, the veteran applying for disability benefits will need to undergo a C & P exam. This information is made available for educational purposes only and to provide general information and a general understanding of the law. This information is made available for educational purposes only and to provide general information and a general understanding of the law. Flat feet VA disability ratings range from 0% to 50% with interim breaks at 10%, 20%, and 30% depending upon unilateral or bilateral, and the severity of your symptoms in terms of frequency, severity, and duration. These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. How to Get a 100 Percent VA Rating (if deserved)! Is the tenderness improved by orthopedic shoes or appliances? The accredited attorneys and claims agents at CCK have decades of experience successfully representing veterans before VA, the Board of Veterans Appeals, and the Court of Appeal for Veterans Claims (CAVC) and we may be able to put our experience to work for you.