There are several common causes and risk factors that lead to plantar fasciitis, including having a tight Achilles tendon, running long distances on uneven surfaces, sudden weight gain, wearing shoes with poor arch support, and a drastic change in activity level. Hill & Ponton P.A. You will also need to ensure that you get a fair plantar fasciitis VA rating during the evaluation process. 12:45 How are VA disability claims for Plantar Fasciitis rated? Does the Veteran have decreased longitudinal arch height of one or both feet on weight-bearing? The 0 percent VA disability rating for flat feet is appropriate for mild symptoms relieved by built-up shoe or arch support . 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). Rating question. Pes planus ( flat feet) and plantar fasciitis is it 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. In this post, we will be exploring how to increase your VA Rating for Plantar Fasciitis. In this post, we will be exploring how to increase your VA Rating for Plantar Fasciitis. 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. 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 get your VA claim for flat feet approved, you need to prove 3 essential elements: How Do I Get a Flat Feet VA Disability Rating? Denial after denial. Click Go Elite Now below to get started today and a member of our team will be in touch within minutes. 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? Do You Need Help Getting VA Disability for Flat Feet and Plantar Fasciitis? How to File a Claim on VA.gov (step-by-step)! The painful motion principle means that regardless of range of motion, if pain is present, the veteran should at least be awarded the minimum level of compensable disability for that condition. At VA Claims Insider, we recommend veterans get X-Rays of both feet from the VA or a private doctor to confirm or exclude the presence of heel spurs, which can contribute to the pain associated with plantar fasciitis. Box 449, Deland, FL 32721, Orlando, FL: 605 E. Robinson Street Suite 635, Orlando, FL 32801 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. Flat feet are considered a type of foot deformity (that can be exacerbated or triggered by strain). 2. Rating 5269 Plantar fasciitis: No relief from both non-surgical and surgical treatment, bilateral: 30 . However, before you begin the VA evaluation process, there are some important things you need to be aware of. If this goes through, you will be eligible to receive additional Special Monthly Compensation. Pes planus with plantar fasciitis - Veterans Benefits Network 14. As regards to the joints, factors of disability reside in reductions of their normal excursion of movements in different planes. While we still have our home base in Florida, 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. According to CFR 38, Part 3, 3.306 Aggravation of Preservice Disability, A preexisting injury or disease will be considered to have been aggravated by active military, naval, or air service, where there is an increase in disability during such service, unless there is a specific finding that the increase in disability is due to the natural progress of the disease.. Do You Have Long-Term Disability Insurance Coverage? 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. 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. 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). No, both of them together wont be able to get a rating, but the VA is required to give you the highest rating whenever two disabilities exclude each other. you viewed to avoid repetition. Youll likely be referred from your Primary Care Doctor to a Podiatrist, who is a medical professional that specializes in the treatment of disorders of the foot, ankle, and related structures of the leg. We consistently provide experienced, compassionate and ethical representation to our clients. 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. 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. Note: Diagnostic Testing is not necessary for every condition. Copyright 2023 Woods and Woods, LLC | PO Box 1287 Evansville, IN 47706. Having pes planus, or flat feet, can be an aggravating factor for plantar fasciitis. If yes, (there is a functional loss due to pain, during flare-ups and/or after repeated use over time), please describe the functional loss as well as cite and discuss evidence (must be specific to the case and based on all procurable evidence). 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. 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. 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. Los Angeles, CA: 10880 Wilshire Blvd., Ste 1101, Los Angeles, CA 90025 All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. These cookies allow the website to remember choices you make to give you better functionality and personal features. 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. 4.71a, Diagnostic Code 5276. Medical records for aggravated or secondary conditions must prove that the new injury is not temporary. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); They brought me from being stuck at 30%. In this post, Ill explain the 3 best ways to get a VA rating for flat feet along with expert-level tips for your flat feet C&P exam. Once the form is filled out, veterans can submit the form to VA online, in person, or by mail. 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? Okay, lets jump into how to get your pes planus rated for VA disability purposes. Why Hire CCK for Your VA Disability Appeal? we represent clients nationwide. 30 percent rating when the veteran has received no relief from surgical or non-surgical treatment methods, such as wearing orthopedic shoes, inserts, or arch supports. For one or both feet, is the weight-bearing line over or medial to the great toe? VA rates veterans with flatfoot under38 C.F.R 4.71a, diagnostic code 5276. If yes, indicate the side(s) affected and if pain is accentuated on use. If you have been denied disability, orhave received a wrongful ratingwe can help. Our firm was founded in 1986 in Orlando, Florida. Veterans can be rated between0 percentand50 percenton a scale of mild (least severe) to pronounced (most severe). Hear from fellow Veterans just like you, with many of our Business Development Representatives having gone through our programs. ), pain on manipulation and use accentuated, indication of swelling on use, characteristic callosities (yellow calluses). Copyright 2023 VA Claims Insider, LLC. These cookies collect information about how you use our website. DATES: Effective February 7, 2021. Standing for extended periods and activities such as running can often trigger symptoms of pes planus. For instance, which pages you go to most. Plantar fasciitis sufferers commonly report that pain in the bottom of their heel is most severe in the morning and then subsides as the day progresses. If you want to learn how to implement these strategies to get the VA benefits you deserve, click here to speak with a VA claim expert for free. CFR 38, Part 3, 3.306 Aggravation of Preservice Disability. 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 . When SC is established for pes planus and plantar fasciitis, evaluate the symptoms of both conditions together under the DC warranting the highest evaluation for the combined impairment. Top 3 Ways to Get a VA Rating for Flat Feet (The Insider's Guide) Effective February 7, 2021, plantar fasciitis has its own diagnostic code (DC) 5269 with ratings that What are Flat Feet (Pes Planus) in Veterans? yet assertive representation for our clients. Does the Veteran use arch supports or built-up shoes? They may be used by those companies to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant advertisements on other websites. Is the tenderness improved by orthopedic shoes or appliances? 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. 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. 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. By using this information, you understand that there is no attorney-client relationship created by you reading or using the information contained on this website or in this newsletter, article, or blog. 7. For one, you will have to prove that your symptoms are directly related to your time in service. If yes, indicate the effect of symptoms and if the veteran receives relief in one or both sides of the foot. Does the Veteran have characteristic calluses? Whats more, if you do not have a 100% disability rating, but are unable to work because of your foot conditionyou may beentitled tototal disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU). 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%. By using this information, you understand that there is no attorney-client relationship created by you reading or using the information contained on this website or in this newsletter, article, or blog. PDF United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims 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). A veterans final VA disability rating for plantar fasciitis depends upon the frequency, severity, and duration of symptoms. 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%. 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. Are you having trouble getting VAdisability for flat feet and plantar fasciitis? 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. Congenital plantar fasciitis is NOT compensable or pensionable unless you claim aggravation of a pre-service condition.. 12. To enhance your chances of success, you shouldalso talk to aVA disability lawyer. Does the Veteran have pain on use of the feet? 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. Estimate your 2023 VA Rating & Compensation for FREE! These cookies dont collect information that identifies you. The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis is rated at a 30 percent disability rating prior to December 28, 2012, and at a 50 percent disability rating thereafter. 19. In this case, veterans must show that their pes planus and plantar fasciitis prevent them from securing such employment. They may also have a legal representative submit on their behalf. When the tissues are overstretched and overused, tears can occur. Houston, TX: 2925 Richmond Ave, 12th Floor, Houston, TX 77098 The Department of Veterans Affairs sometimes needs more information to determine whether a veteran has a legitimate impairment and to assign the appropriate disability rating. Contact Us 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. Is there objective evidence of marked deformity of one or both feet (pronation, abduction, etc.)? We know the pain of feeling stuck, frustrated, and alone, and we want to make this process as easy and painless as possible for you. Signup to never miss a beat with special offers, blog updates, exclusive trainings, and more delivered right to your inbox! Many people who have flat feet or fallen arches never experience pain or impedimentswith walking. 24. Is there marked pronation of one foot or both feet? 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. Note: Provide the impact of only the diagnosed condition(s), without consideration of the impact of other medical conditions or factors, such as age. This percent rating can apply to one or both feet. Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain in veterans. 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%. His frustration with the8-step VA disability claims processled him to createVA Claims Insider,which provides U.S. military veterans with tips, strategies, and lessons learned for successfully submitting or re-submitting a winning VA disability compensation claim. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Seattle, WA: 506 2nd Ave,Suite 1400,Seattle, WA 98104. Does the Veteran have Functional Impact to their work, life, and social functioning? However, if the veteran has actual loss of use of the foot, the rating is 40%. Sign up for our weekly email newsletter to stay updated on VA news, policy changes, and more. 22. To qualify for secondary service connection, veterans generally must provide medical evidence linking the secondary condition to the service-connected condition. Brian Reese here, Air Force service-disabled Veteran and Founder @ VA Claims Insider. The Department of Veterans Affairs changed its schedule of ratings for plantar fasciitis effective February 7, 2021. 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. Ligaments and tendons from the lower leg and the foot form the arches in feet. You Deserve It: The Definitive Guide to Getting the Veteran Benefits Youve Earned, 9 Secrets Strategies for Winning Your VA Disability Claim, No functional loss for left lower extremity attributable to claimed condition, No functional loss for right lower extremity attributable to claimed condition. The podiatrist will take X-rays and recommend the least invasive method possible for treating plantar fasciitis. This includes things like requests fordifferent boots to be issued, requests for insoles or inserts. 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.. Sometimes veterans are diagnosed with pes planus (flat feet). While many people might have flat feet and not experience any serious symptoms or pain, others with more severe symptoms may experience: Plantar fasciitis is a condition in which the plantar fascia, a thick band that runs across the bottom of the foot and connects the heel bone to the toes, becomes inflamed. Plantar Fasciitis and Secondary VA Claims You Deserve It: The Definitive Guide to Getting the Veteran Benefits Youve Earned, 9 Secrets Strategies for Winning Your VA Disability Claim, long-distance running (such as military PT), poor arch and heel support (e.g., military combat boots), occupations that require a lot of standing (active duty military service, perhaps combat deployments), Heel pain (especially after standing, walking, or running), 30%: No relief from both non-surgical and surgical treatment, bilateral, 20%: No relief from both non-surgical and surgical treatment, unilateral. 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. VA rates flatfoot under38 CFR 4.71a, diagnostic code 5276. The criteria for pes planus or plantar fasciitis for a 10-percent evaluation in 38 CFR 4.71a, DC 5276 include "pain on manipulation and use of the feet, unilateral or bilateral." The criteria for higher evaluations include findings such as accentuated pain on manipulation and use or extreme tenderness of the "plantar surfaces of the feet." I have only been in the military for a year from 2004 - 2005. However, if the veteran has actual loss of use of the foot, the rating is 40%. During this, a VA doctor will assess your foot trouble and assign you a rating. Sometimes the C&P examiner will order X-Rays of one or both feet to check for foot deformities such as calcified heel spurs. By using our website, you agree to the use of certain cookies. When you visit web sites, they may store or retrieve data in your web browser. The primary symptom of the foot condition plantar fasciitis is tenderness and pain on the underside of one or both feet that worsens with weight-bearing activities like walking. They may also be used to keep track of what [products, video, links, etc.] These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. However, if you go back there might be a paper trail that ties your affliction to service-related activities. Copyright 2023 Hill & Ponton, P.A.. All Rights Reserved. Dear Veteran, Heres the brutal truth about VA disability claims: According to our data, 8/10 (80%) of veterans reading this message right now are underrated by the VA. If youre stuck, frustrated, underrated, and currently rated between 0%-90%, VA Claims Insider Elite is for you! Plantar Fasciitis and Pes Planus VA Rating | CCK Law 1. Military service is a known cause of foot injuries and foot pain since soldiers stand much of the time and carry loads on their backs that can weigh up to 50 pounds. 6. Flat feet can also be caused by age-related weakening of the tendons within the feet. VA Disability for Bilateral Pes Planus with Plantar Fasciitis, Learn About CCK's Partnership with DAV and Harvard Law School, - Learn About CCK's Partnership with DAV and Harvard Law School. How to Get a 100 Percent VA Rating (if deserved)! In those instances, the ratings for each side, the left and the right sides, are combined separately. We are sorry that this post was not as useful for you! How to Get a VA Disability Rating for Flat Feet and Plantar Fasciitis If you have yet to claim VA disability for flat feet and plantar fasciitis, you should do so without delay. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) awards disability benefits for pes planus to veterans who meet the requirements for service connection. 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. Due to the fact that plantar fasciitisand flat feet arecommonlylinkedand plantar fasciitis does not have its own rating codeit is often rated under thediagnostic code for acquired flatfoot. Veterans have flat feet when they have little to no arch (flattened foot), which lets the entire sole of one or both feet touch the ground when standing or walking. Veterans who have plantar fasciitis and experienced the actual loss of use of the foot qualify for a 40 percent disability rating. 8. 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. The bilateral factor is when a veteran has a disability that affects either both arms, both legs, or paired skeletal muscles. People suffering from plantar fasciitis typically experience pain on the bottom of their feet that ranges from a mild annoyance to so severe that they cannot put any weight on the affected foot. VA.gov Home | Veterans Affairs Cincinnati, OH: 300 E Business Way, Suite 200, Summit Woods Corporate Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45241 Since that time, we have provided compassionate 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. Get a Free Consultation, VA Disability Ratings for Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), Plantar Fasciitis Symptoms and Risk Factors Among Veterans, Secondary ServiceConnection for Plantar Fasciitis, Compensation and Pension Exams (C& P Exams) for Plantar Fasciitis, VADisability Ratings for Plantar Fasciitis, Contact Hill & Ponton for Additional Help with VA Disability Claims, Certain types of exercise, such as running and aerobic dancing because they put pressure on heels and the tissue attached to them, Standing or walking on hard surfaces for a majority of the day. When these tendons do not pull properly, the foot has little or no arch, resulting in flat feet. The rating schedule is as follows: If a veteran has bilateral pes planus, with plantar fasciitis, they should be eligible for a 50 percent rating for their pronounced bilateral pes planus, and a 30 percent rating for their plantar fasciitis since it affects both feet. The condition wouldn't get the bilateral factor unless there was another lower extremity issue like say a knee or ankle condition. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Congenital means a disease or physical abnormality present since birth, whereas Acquired means a disease or physical abnormality that developed after birth. If your case of plantar fasciitis is deemed severe, you may be eligible to receive a VA disability rating of 20-30%. Click Go Elite Now below to get started today and a member of our team will be in touch within minutes. TDIU stands for total disability individual unemployability. WITHOUT Woods & Woods I would still be stuck at 30%. According to statistics, roughly18 million adultsin the US have flat feet and approximately2 millionsuffer from plantar fasciitis. So, it implicates VA's bilateral factor. You might even have medical records of treatment for pes planus or plantar fasciitis while in service. 21:30 Request a referral from your primary care or VA doctor to see a Podiatrist. Finally rated at 70%. The maximum disability rating is 40 percent, and the schedule of ratings is as follows: The VA also applies two special disability ratings for plantar fasciitis. By continuing to use our website, you agree to these updates. The VA defines functional loss as the inability, due to damage or infection in parts of the system, to perform normal working movements of the body with normal excursion, strength, speed, coordination and/or endurance.. For example, here is a 2008 BVA case decision where a Veteran received entitlement to service connection for a bilateral foot disorder as secondary to a service-connected left knee disability. The maximum scheduler rating for severe bilateral pes planus (flat feet) is 50 percent. If you feel that you received an inaccurate or unfair rating, be aware that you can appeal this by requesting aVA higher-level review. Effective February 7, 2021, plantar fasciitis is rated under CFR 38, part 4, VA schedule of ratings, diagnostic code 5269, plantar fasciitis. Click the button below to start for FREE. There is also a bilateral factormeaning veterans can get a higher VA rating for plantar fasciitis if they have the disability in both feet. Another thing to know about pes planus is that it can be either unilateral or bilateral. To find out more, view our Privacy Policy. You're not alone. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Copyright 2023 Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick LTD. All Rights Reserved. Does the Veteran have marked inward displacement and severe spasm of the Achilles tendon (rigid hindfoot) on manipulation of one or both feet? Veterans can learn more about how to qualify for TDIU benefits here. There are generally two ways that a veteran can qualify for TDIU: Forschedular TDIU, veterans must meet the criteria listed under38 CFR 4.16a. Does the Veteran have extreme tenderness of plantar surfaces on one or both feet? San Jose, CA: 2880 Zanker Road, Ste. Have imaging studies been performed in conjunction with this examination? An important requirement for VA disability rating purposes is whether your foot condition is congenital or acquired. An increased strain on the plantar fascia can lead to plantar fasciitis. Pes planus is normally rated with a diagnostic Code 5276 and on the other hand Plantar Fasciitis is rated under the diagnostic Code 5284. Estimate your 2023 VA Rating & Compensation for FREE! A nexus linking the veterans pes planus to the veterans in-service event or stressor. 38 CFR 4.26 - Bilateral factor. | Electronic Code of Federal eCFR :: 38 CFR 4.26 -- Bilateral factor. 4. 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. Rate the underlying condition, minimum rating: 10 5278 Claw foot (pes cavus), acquired: Marked contraction of plantar fascia with dropped forefoot, all toes hammer toes, very painful callosities, marked varus deformity: . I got medical records from when I was in service for being seen for Pes Planus and Plantar Fasciitis. Description and proof of an in-service event that caused the foot pain or foot injury leading to plantar fasciitis. Brooklyn, NY: 300 Cadman Plaza West, One Pierrepont Plaza, 12th Floor, Brooklyn, NY, 11201 The VA will outline the steps involved with appealing a C & P exam in its initial communication. Has Diagnostic Testing been performed? The maximum scheduler rating for severe bilateral pes planus (flat feet) is 50 percent. For example, it may be that your condition is asecondary service-connected disability. Its your choice now that you know the truth and the truth will set you free. Heres the brutal truth about VA disability claims: We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. The highest possible schedular VA disability rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis is now 30% (not 50%), which includes symptoms such as no relief from both non-surgical (orthopedic shoes or appliances) and surgical treatment. If so, the rating you receive for this will impact your existing rating.