Plantar Fasciitis and Flat Foot VA Ratings (2023)

According to statistics, roughly18 million adultsin the US have flat feet and approximately2 millionsuffer from plantar fasciitis.

Both flat feet and plantar fasciitisare often caused by genetic conditions. However, certain activities that place strain on the feet can trigger or cause the symptoms.Research has shownthat veterans are at a much higher risk of developing these conditions.

If you are a US veteran suffering from either flat feet or plantar fasciitis that are service-connected, the VA should be paying you monthly for that disability.

Serviceenvironments are a common cause orcontributing factorof flat feet and plantar fasciitis. Both of these conditions can cause severe pain and disability.

If your foot problems stem from your time in service, then youneed to get the compensation you deserve. However, before you begin the VA evaluation process, there are some important things you need to be aware of.

For one, you will have to prove that your symptoms are directly related to your time in service. You will also need to ensure that you get a fair plantar fasciitis VA rating during the evaluation process.

Read on to find out how to get proof that your conditionis service-related, as well as everything you need to know aboutyour VA disability rating forfoot pain.

Flat Feet vs Plantar Fasciitis

Before we take a look at the VA rating for flat foot and plantar fasciitis, let’s quickly examine exactly what these two conditions are and how they differ.

Flat Feet (Pes Planus)

Flat feet, which is medically termed pes planus, is characterized by fallen arches and foot pain. Many people who have flat feet or fallen arches never experience pain or impedimentswith walking.

However, activities and conditions that place strain on the feet can often aggravate the condition, resulting in pain, tissue damage, and difficulty with movement. Standing for extended periods and activities such as running can often trigger symptoms of pes planus.

This is why flat feet canbe directly connected as a service-related disability. At the same time, many people naturally develop flat feet later in life, thanks to conditions such as diabetes and obesity. Flat feet can also be caused by age-related weakening of the tendons within the feet.

Another thing to know about pes planus is that it can be either unilateral or bilateral. Unilateral means that only one foot is affected, while bilateral means that both feet have developed symptoms. Whether your case of flat feet is unilateral or bilateral will have an impact on yourVA disability rating.

Plantar Fasciitis

Flat feet are considered a type of foot deformity (that can be exacerbated or triggered by strain). Plantar fasciitis, on the other hand, is a foot injury.

Plantar fasciitis is the name for injury caused to the plantar fascia, which is the band of tissue that covers the bottom ofone’s foot. If strained, this tissue can develop micro-tears which then cause inflammation and pain.

Like flat feet, plantar fasciitis can bebrought on by activities such as running, high impact training, and prolonged standing. Having flat feet is also a risk factor for developing plantar fasciitis.

The reason it is a risk is that the arch of one’s foot directly acts to protect the tissue of the plantar fascia. If you have foot pain from flat feet, this might be because you developed plantar fasciitis.

Now that we are clear on the differences and overlap of flat feet and plantar fasciitis, let’s get into the details on theVA disability rating for foot pain.

How the VA Rates Flat Feet

The VA ratesflat feetas perthe 38 CFR § 4.71a, Schedule of Ratings, Musculoskeletal System,with the diagnostic code 5276.

Through the rating criteria in this code, the VA will evaluate your symptoms and give you a rating on a scale of 0% (mild disability)to 50% (pronounced disability).

Mild—VA Disability Rating: 0%

If you have flat feet but are able to find relief through the use of inserts, or orthotic arch supports, the VA will consider yours a mild and non-compensatablecondition. If you fall into this category you will get aVA disability rating of 0%.

Moderate—VA Disability Rating: 10%

If during your examination the VA doctor findscertain qualifying criteria, youmay be assigned a VA disability rating of 10%. The qualifying criteria are as follows:

• Your weight-bearing line is over your big toe
• You experience pain upon manipulation orwhen using the foot
• You have inbound bowing of the Achilles tendon

Severe—VA Disability Rating: 20-30%

The VA deems pes planus to be severe when there is clear evidence of a deformity in the foot.Along with this, the qualifying criteria are:

• Pain when the foot is used or manipulated
• Swelling occurring after use of the foot or feet
• Presence of characteristic callosities (calluses)

The exact rating that you receive in this category will depend on whether your condition is unilateral or bilateral. If you have unilateral pes planus (affecting one foot), youcan receive aVA disability rating for foot pain of 20%. If it is bilateral (affects both feet) then your disability rating may be 30%.

Pronounced—VA Disability Rating: 30-50%

The most severecategory of pes planus is pronounced, and depending on whether the affliction is bilateral or unilateral a veteran can receive aVA disability rating for foot pain of 30-50%.

To qualify a veteran must experience marked pronation (inward rolling of the foot). Inward displacement of the Achilles tendon must also be present as well as severe tenderness and pain of the bottom surface of the foot or feet. Another marker is if the condition is not relieved in any way by foot supports.

If pronounced pes planus is present in both feet (and supports do not help), veterans can receive the VA disability rating of 50%.

If only one foot displays symptoms, veterans are eligible for the next highestVA disability rating for foot pain of 30%.

One of our VA disability lawyers talks about common combinations of disabilities that add up to 100% TDIU.

How the VA Rates Plantar Fasciitis

Due to the fact that plantar fasciitisand flat feet arecommonlylinked—and plantar fasciitis does not have its own rating code—it is often rated under thediagnostic code for acquired flatfoot.

As with flat feet, the VA rates plantar fasciitis on a scale of mild to pronounced and awards disabilities ratings from 0% to 50%.

Mild—VA Disability Rating: 0%

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%.

Moderate—VA Disability Rating: 10%

On the other hand, if youare experiencinginward bowing of theAchilles tendon as well as pain when using your foot/feet, then you may be deemed to have a moderate case of plantar fasciitis. This will receive aVAdisability rating for foot pain of 10%.

Severe—VA Disability Rating: 20-30%

If your case of plantar fasciitis is deemed severe, you may be eligible to receive a VA disability rating of 20-30%. To be categorized as having severe plantar fasciitis, the followingcriteria need to be present:

• Increased pain when you move or use the foot/feet
• Presence of callosities (calluses) particular to plantar fasciitis
• Swelling from use

If you have plantar fasciitis in one foot, you may be eligible forVAdisability rating for foot pain of 20%. If both of your feet are affected, you may qualify for a VA disability rating of 30%.

Pronounced—VA Disability Rating: 30-50%

If you experience the following, then your plantar fasciitis case may be deemed pronounced by the VA:

• You experience tenderness
• There is marked inward displacement and pronation(inward rolling of the foot)
• Orthopedic shoes and inserts do not provide relief or reduce the symptoms
• Your Achilles tendon spasms when it is touched

If these elements are present, and you have plantar fasciitis in one foot, you may receive a disability rating of 30%. If you have bilateral plantar fasciitis, you could be eligible to receive aVAdisability rating for foot pain of 50%.

How to Get a VA Disability Rating for Flat Feet and Plantar Fasciitis

If you have yet to claim VAdisability for flat feet and plantar fasciitis, you should do so without delay. Both of these conditions can be debilitating and cause pain in other areas such as the knees, back, and legs.

To be successfulclaiming aVA disability for flat feet and/or plantar fasciitis you will need to prove that your condition is a result of activities you underwent while in service. Here are three things that can help you in proving this and gaining compensation:

• A current diagnosis of your foot condition
• Record of an in-service event or aggravation
• A medical nexus, or link, between the in-service event and the current disability

At first, it might seem almost impossible to provide documented proof that something like flat feet or plantar fasciitis was caused during service. However, if you go back there might be a paper trail that ties your affliction to service-related activities. This includes things like requests fordifferent boots to be issued, requests for insoles or inserts. You might even have medical records of treatment for pes planus or plantar fasciitis while in service.

If the VA deems that there is some suggestion of a link between your current disability and your time in service, they will order a Compensation and Pension (C&P) exam. During this, a VA doctor will assess your foot trouble and assign you a rating.

After is it finished, it isimportant that yourequesta copy of the C&P examination. If the VA doctor makes an incorrect analysis, you are free to contest this, in which case a copy of the C&P examination will be useful.

How to handle your C&P Exam for your VA benefits.

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.

For example, it may be that your condition is asecondary service-connected disability. If so, the rating you receive for this will impact your existing rating.

What’s more, if you do not have a 100% disability rating, but are unable to work because of your foot condition—you may beentitled tototal disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU). If you apply, and this is granted to you, you will be compensated at the 100% level.

Lastly, if your foot pain VA disability is so bad that you have effectively lost the use of them, you mayqualify for loss of use with the VA. If this goes through, you will be eligible to receive additional Special Monthly Compensation.

The exact amount of compensation that you will receive for your foot pain depends on a number of factors. To calculate what effect yourVA disability rating for foot pain will have on your compensation package, you can use ourVA disability calculator.

Is Your Rating Correct?

If you have undergone your Pension and Disability examination and are not happy with the result, you should call us for a free review of your case. If you feel that you received an inaccurate or unfair rating, be aware that you can appeal this by requesting aVA higher-level review.

The VA is notorious for ‘under’ rating disabilities, therefore if you have received an incorrect rating or been denied disability it is essential that you follow up.

You will need to get an outside opinion from a non-VA doctor and argue against the original examiner’s conclusions. To enhance your chances of success, you shouldalso talk to aVA disability lawyer.

Do You Need Help Getting VA Disability for Flat Feet and Plantar Fasciitis?

Are you having trouble getting VAdisability for flat feet and plantar fasciitis? If you have been denied disability, orhave received a wrongful rating—we can help.

Available to vets all over the US, we specialize in getting veterans the compensation they deserve. What’s more,you only have to pay for our services if we win your case for you.

Contact usandget help appealing today.