FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The diagnosis of degenerative arthritis (osteoarthritis) or post-traumatic arthritis must be confirmed by imaging studies. If you apply, and this is granted to you, you will be compensated at the 100% level. We invite veterans to get afree online evaluationfor your VA disability claim. Prokarym v. You might even have medical records of treatment for pes planus or plantar fasciitis while in service. Let's talk about your VA disability benefits. There is also a bilateral factormeaning veterans can get a higher VA rating for plantar fasciitis if they have the disability in both feet. 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. Does the Veteran use arch supports or built-up shoes? However, if the veteran has actual loss of use of the foot, the rating is 40%. 3. 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? Evidence of a service-connected primary disability (such as Knee Strain, Lumbar Strain or Back Pain, Hip Condition). These cookies may be set through our website by our advertising partners. This information is made available for educational purposes only and to provide general information and a general understanding of the law. Please call for an appointment before visiting: Mail Processing Center: P.O. How are Pes Planus and Plantar Fasciitis Connected? 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.. 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. 4.71a, Diagnostic Code 5276. 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. Plantar fasciitis is the name for injury caused to the plantar fascia, which is the band of tissue that covers the bottom ofones 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. Once the form is filled out, veterans can submit the form to VA online, in person, or by mail. They may be used by those companies to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant advertisements on other websites. Note: Provide the impact of only the diagnosed condition(s), without consideration of the impact of other medical conditions or factors, such as age. What happens in the foot can affect the ankle. His eBook, the9 Secrets Strategies for Winning Your VA Disability Claimhas been downloaded more than 300,000 times in the past three years and is the #1 rated free VA disability claims guide for veterans. Do You Qualify for Long Term Disability Benefits? VA rates veterans with flatfoot under38 C.F.R 4.71a, diagnostic code 5276. Ligaments and tendons from the lower leg and the foot form the arches in feet. We consistently provide experienced, compassionate and ethical representation to our clients. Veterans who plan to file for disability compensation should visit a podiatrist as soon as possible to receive an accurate diagnosis. For example, if you have both severe bilateral flat feet and severe bilateral plantar fasciitis, the VA Rater should grant the 50% rating for pes planus because its the higher of the two ratings (the maximum scheduler rating for severe bilateral plantar fasciitis is 30%). This website adheres to the W3Cs AA Accessibility guidelines. 20. If you do not allow these cookies, you will experience less targeted advertising. The purpose of the X-rays is to verify the diagnosis of plantar fasciitis from another doctor and look for medical evidence to confirm it, like calcified heel spurs. The qualifying criteria are as follows: The VA deems pes planus to be severe when there is clear evidence of a deformity in the foot. ), pain on manipulation and use accentuated, indication of swelling on use, characteristic callosities (yellow calluses). When you visit web sites, they may store or retrieve data in your web browser. Pes planus, flatfoot, is rated for acquired flatfoot. 1. Our experienced team has helped many veterans win the benefits they deserve. Without these cookies, services you have asked for cannot be provided. Copyright 2023 Hill & Ponton, P.A.. All Rights Reserved. How to Get a 100 Percent VA Rating (if deserved)! 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. 20:55 What kind of Plantar Fasciitis treatments are available for you to do on your own? Veterans should be prepared to discuss specific ways that heel pain impacts their life, such as the inability to walk long distances. Effective February 7, 2021, plantar fasciitis is rated under CFR 38, part 4, VA schedule of ratings, diagnostic code 5269, plantar fasciitis. The condition wouldn't get the bilateral factor unless there was another lower extremity issue like say a knee or ankle condition. Click the button below to start for FREE. Relationship Between Pes Planus and Plantar Fasciitis, VA Disability Rating for Pes Planus and Plantar Fasciitis, How to Prove Plantar Fasciitis Secondary to Pes Planus, TDIU for Pes Planus and Plantar Fasciitis, VA Disability for Bilateral Pes Planus with Plantar Fasciitis, VA Disability Ratings for Pes Planus (Flat Feet), Aches or pains in the areas of the arches or heels, Difficulty performing certain foot movements, such as standing on your toes, Inflammation or damage to the posterior tibial tendon which runs from the lower leg, down to the ankle, and to the middle of the arch of the foot, Dislocated or broken bones in the legs or feet, Nerve damage, such as from peripheral neuropathy. Another thing to know about pes planus is that it can be either unilateral or bilateral. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Pittsburgh, PA: 201 Penn Center Boulevard, Suite 400, Pittsburgh, PA, 15235 Copyright 2023 Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick LTD. All Rights Reserved. The 50 percent VA rating is appropriate for severe bilateral 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. During a C & P exam for plantar fasciitis, a doctor may take X-rays and likely physically examine each foot. 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. How to File a Claim on VA.gov (step-by-step)! Doctors and patients sometimes refer to plantar fasciitis as runners heel, painful sole syndrome, or neuritis. 12:45 How are VA disability claims for Plantar Fasciitis rated? 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. If yes, indicate the side(s) affected and describe the lower extremity deformity other than pes planus causing alteration of the weight-bearing line. 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. These cookies allow the website to remember choices you make to give you better functionality and personal features. 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. The bilateral factor is when a veteran has a disability that affects either both arms, both legs, or paired skeletal muscles. Unilateral means that only one foot is affected, while bilateral means that both feet have developed symptoms. Has Diagnostic Testing been performed? 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? 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. 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. When these tendons do not pull properly, the foot has little or no arch, resulting in flat feet. If yes, describe the functional impact of each condition, providing one or more examples. The information these cookies collect will not personally identify you, and they cannot track your browsing activity on other websites. 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. Is there indication of swelling on use? 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. Along with this, the qualifying criteria are: The exact rating that you receive in this category will depend on whether your condition is unilateral or bilateral. Service Connection for Bilateral Pes Planus with Plantar Fasciitis, Filing a Claim for Secondary Service Connection for Bilateral Pes Planus with Plantar Fasciitis. Cleveland, OH: 600 Superior Ave. East, Fifth Third Building, Suite 1300, Cleveland, OH, 44114 Does the Veteran have extreme tenderness of plantar surfaces on one or both feet? 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. 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? Does the Veteran have pain on manipulation of the feet? 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. In 2022, flat feet VA disability ratings range from 0 percent to 50 percent, with interim breaks at 10 percent, 20 percent, and 30 percent. The bilateral factor will be applied to such bilateral disabilities before other combinations are carried out and the rating for such disabilities including the bilateral factor in this section will be treated as 1 disability for the purpose of arranging in order of severity and for all further combinations. Deland, FL: 1607 South State Road 15A Suite 12 Deland, FL 32720, Satellite Offices Using information based on a review of all procurable information, to include the Veterans statement on examination, case-specific evidence (to include medical treatment records when applicable and lay evidence), the examiners medical expertise, and physical exam, select the factors below that contribute to functional loss or impairment (regardless of repetitive use) or to additional limitation of range of motion (ROM) after repetitive use for the joint or extremity being evaluated on this Disability Benefits Questionnaire for Flat Feet: 18. These cookies are essential so that you can move around the website and use its features. Maybe you enjoy running and working out, but youve had to stop or significantly alter your routines because of your plantar fasciitis. Pes Planus, often referred to as flat feet, is a common foot deformity in which the arch of the foot is flattened to the point where it touches, or nearly touches, the ground. They may be used by those companies to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant advertisements on other websites. You're not alone. Veterans who do not meet these criteria but are still unable to work due to their disabilities may qualify for extraschedular TDIU under 38 CFR 4.16b. They do not store directly personal information, but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. Signup to never miss a beat with special offers, blog updates, exclusive trainings, and more delivered right to your inbox! 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%. 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. An important requirement for VA disability rating purposes is whether your foot condition is congenital or acquired. 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.. The same if you have bilateral plantar fasciitis. As a fellow disabled Veteran this is shameful and Im on a mission to change it. Our firm was founded in 1986 in Orlando, Florida. TheMayo Clinicreports the following risk factors associated with the development of plantar fasciitis: Sometimes doctors misdiagnose plantar heel pain or generalized foot pain as plantar fasciitis when the condition is something entirely different. The legal firm of Hill & Ponton is here to help. Heres the brutal truth about VA disability claims: We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Sometimes pes planus is the direct result of service, whereas in other instances, it may have been aggravated by service. How to Get a VA Disability Rating for Flat Feet and Plantar Fasciitis, How Foot Pain Impacts Your OverallCompensation. In this post, we will be exploring how to increase your VA Rating for Plantar Fasciitis. Its your choice now that you know the truth and the truth will set you free. How to File a Claim on VA.gov (step-by-step)! Veterans who qualify for TDIU must demonstrate they are unable to maintain gainful employment due to a 100 percent combined disability rating. Some Veterans may experience plantar fasciitis symptoms in both feet simultaneously or just one foot at a time. Common examples include losing weight, wearing orthopedic shoes, wearing shoe inserts, or buying shoes with arch support. Do You Have Long-Term Disability Insurance Coverage? you viewed to avoid repetition. Plantar fasciitis is most common among runners, athletes, and people whose job requires them to stand on a hard surface for much of the day. The photo below is an example of yellow calluses and cracking of the heel. Signup to never miss a beat with special offers, blog updates, exclusive trainings, and more delivered right to your inbox! 4. This means you do NOT currently have the VA disability rating and compensation YOU deserve, and you could be missing out on thousands of dollars of tax-free compensation and benefits each month. 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. This includes things like requests fordifferent boots to be issued, requests for insoles or inserts. In addition to this form, veterans will need to submit: In order to establish bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis, veterans will also need to submit: In order to establish plantar fasciitis as secondary to bilateral pes planus, veterans may need to file a claim for secondary service connection. 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. For a limited time, you can book a free, no-obligation VA Claim Discovery Call with one of our experts. Plantar Fasciitis and Flat Foot VA Ratings. 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? To enhance your chances of success, you shouldalso talk to aVA disability lawyer. 17. Serviceenvironments are a common cause orcontributing factorof flat feet and plantar fasciitis. Denial after denial. The most common and primary symptom of plantar fasciitis is the feeling of tenderness and pain on the sole of the foot that gets worse with walking and other weight-bearing activities. yet assertive representation for our clients. Why Hire CCK for Your VA Disability Appeal? A 2023 Guide to VA Disability Rates & Pay Schedules, Individual Unemployability Rating Calculator, List of Blue Water Navy Ships Exposed to Agent Orange (Interactive Vietnam Map), Social Security Disability Benefits Guide. Since that time, we have provided compassionate Both of these conditions can be debilitating and cause pain in other areas such as the knees, back, and legs. 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. Chicago, IL: 332 S. Michigan Avenue, Floors 8 and 9, Chicago, IL 60604 If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. 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. Congenital plantar fasciitis is NOT compensable or pensionable unless you claim aggravation of a pre-service 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. 10. Repetitive stretching and tearing of the plantar facia can result in pain and inflammation. 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. Disclaimer: This information is not legal advice. Portland, OR: 650 N. E. Holladay Street, Suite 1600, Portland, OR, 97232 List of VA Secondary Conditions to Flat Feet. 11. The final rule amends the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Schedule for Rating Disabilities ("VASRD" or "rating schedule") by revising the portion of the rating schedule that addresses the musculoskeletal system. Common examples include gout, rheumatoid arthritis, cysts, and bursitis. How to Increase Your VA Rating for Plantar Fasciitis: The Experts Guide (5 *NEW* Tips for 2022). After is it finished, it isimportant that yourequesta copy of the C&P examination. By continuing to use our website, you agree to these updates. A lot of the same factors that cause plantar fasciitis can cause flat feet (aging, obesity, stress, overuse). All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. Plantar fasciitis can make walking and other physical activities significantly more difficult. Flat feet, which is medically termed pes planus, is characterized by fallen arches and foot pain. 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. 38 C.F.R. An increased strain on the plantar fascia can lead to plantar fasciitis. To qualify for TDIU, which offers monthly compensation equal to a 100 percent rating, veterans must prove they are unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment due to their service-connected condition(s). 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. 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. Estimate your 2023 VA Rating & Compensation for FREE! Join our premier education-based membership program, VA Claims Insider Elite, connect with an expert-level Veteran Coach (VC) within minutes, and finally get the rating you deserve. Updated: August 18, 2021. 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. Another marker is if the condition is not relieved in any way by foot supports. VA rates flatfoot under38 CFR 4.71a, diagnostic code 5276. 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%. 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. 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%. This data may be used to help optimize our websites and make them easier for you to navigate. 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 ground when you stand up. Thousands of other Veterans in our Community are here for you. 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%. 19. Available to vets all over the US, we specialize in getting veterans the compensation they deserve. They may also have a legal representative submit on their behalf. Plantar fasciitis, on the other hand, is a foot injury. A veterans final VA disability rating for plantar fasciitis depends upon the frequency, severity, and duration of symptoms. Whether your case of flat feet is unilateral or bilateral will have an impact on yourVA disability rating. TDIU stands for total disability individual unemployability, Denied VA Benefits? The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) looks for the following three criteria when receiving a disability claim for plantar fasciitis: Military service requires soldiers to spend hours on their feet each day, often on rough terrain which may lead to all sorts of feet conditions like plantar fasciitis, pes planus, hallux valgus, and more. Its FREE to get started, so click Go Elite Now below to complete our 3-step intake process. Does the Veteran have any Functional Loss due to his/her flat feet? If pronounced pes planus is present in both feet (and supports do not help), veterans can receive the VA disability rating of 50%. 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. Any injury that happens to you during your active duty is elligible for VA disability. If during your examination the VA doctor findscertain qualifying criteria, youmay be assigned a VA disability rating of 10%. Copyright 2023 Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick LTD. All Rights Reserved. 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). Brian is a Distinguished Graduate of Management from theUnited States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, CO and he holds an MBA from Oklahoma State Universitys Spears School of Business, Stillwater, OK, where he was a National Honor Scholar (Top 1% of Graduate School class). In this case, veterans must show that their pes planus and plantar fasciitis prevent them from securing such employment. Box 449, Deland, FL 32721, Orlando, FL: 605 E. Robinson Street Suite 635, Orlando, FL 32801 This website adheres to the W3Cs AA Accessibility guidelines. 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. Since 2016, VA Claims Insider has helped thousands of Veterans just like you get the VA rating and compensation they deserve in less time. By using our website, you agree to the use of certain cookies. The VA rates Pes Planus (Flat Feet) using Title 38 CFR, Part 4, Schedule for Rating Disabilities, Diagnostic Code (DC) 5276, Flatfoot versus Plantar Fasciitis, which is rated under DC 5269. For instance, which pages you go to most. As regards to the joints, factors of disability reside in reductions of their normal excursion of movements in different planes. The onset of plantar fasciitis is often so gradual that people do not seek help for their foot pain until it interferes with their everyday life. Pes planus and plantar fasciitis are two very common foot conditions that affect veterans. However, those with more severe cases may experience symptoms such as: Pes planus may also aggravate or lead to plantar fasciitis. 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. Under Diagnostic Code 5296, VA disability ratings for plantar fasciitis (unilateral and bilateral) are as follows: Note (1): With actual loss of use of the foot, rate 40%, Note (2): 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. They may also be used to keep track of what [products, video, links, etc.] Already working with us? 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). disability ratings for shin splints, go here! I have only been in the military for a year from 2004 - 2005. Plantar Fasciitis and Secondary VA Claims, Top 3 Ways to Get a VA Rating for Flat Feet (The Insiders Guide). Many people who have flat feet or fallen arches never experience pain or impedimentswith walking. Service connection on a secondary basis requires a showing of causation.. These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. 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. Description and proof of an in-service event that caused the foot pain or foot injury leading to plantar fasciitis. Many veterans suffer from various foot conditions due to their military service, including severe heel pain, aka, plantar fasciitis. Call today for a free case evaluation. The third part can be satisfied with a credible medical nexus letter from a qualified medical professional. WITHOUT Woods & Woods I would still be stuck at 30%. According to the National Institute of Health, this is because pes planus can cause an increased strain at the origin of the plantar fascia. 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.

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