The Department of Veterans Affairs changed its schedule of ratings for plantar fasciitis effective February 7, 2021. 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: . 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). PDF United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims Note: Provide the impact of only the diagnosed condition(s), without consideration of the impact of other medical conditions or factors, such as age. Pes Planus & Plantar Fasciitis : r/VeteransBenefits - Reddit 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. As a fellow disabled Veteran this is shameful and Im on a mission to change it. San Jose, CA: 2880 Zanker Road, Ste. C:\USCAVC_Docs\SINGLE.CVA\AlexanderHD_22-0645.pdf AlexanderHD_22-0645.pdf 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. Even got stress fractures on my tib/fib probably . Description and proof of an in-service event that caused the foot pain or foot injury leading to plantar fasciitis. Thousands of other Veterans in our Community are here for you. They are not intended as a guarantee that we will obtain the same or similar results in every case we undertake. The maximum scheduler rating for severe bilateral pes planus (flat feet) is 50 percent. Both of these conditions can be debilitating and cause pain in other areas such as the knees, back, and legs. 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. 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. If yes, indicate the side(s) affected and describe the lower extremity deformity other than pes planus causing alteration of the weight-bearing line. Washington, D.C.: 1776 I Street, NW, 9th Floor, Washington, D.C 20006 The diagnosis of degenerative arthritis (osteoarthritis) or post-traumatic arthritis must be confirmed by imaging studies. On this form, veterans will want to ensure that they are filing for plantar fasciitis as secondary to pes planus. 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. Does the Veteran have characteristic calluses? To find out more, view our Privacy Policy. You will also need to ensure that you get a fair plantar fasciitis VA rating during the evaluation process. However, before you begin the VA evaluation process, there are some important things you need to be aware of. This information is not a substitute for legal advice. In this case, veterans must show that their pes planus and plantar fasciitis prevent them from securing such employment. eCFR :: 38 CFR 4.26 -- Bilateral factor. I got medical records from when I was in service for being seen for Pes Planus and Plantar Fasciitis. If you have bilateral plantar fasciitis, you could be eligible to receive a VA disability rating for foot pain of 50%. A C&P exam for flat feet involves a physical examination of the feet for tenderness, swelling, calluses, pain, and functional impairment or loss, as well as a walking test for overpronation. Is there marked pronation of one foot or both feet? which may lead to all sorts of feet conditions like plantar fasciitis, pes planus, hallux valgus, and more.. 20:55 What kind of Plantar Fasciitis treatments are available for you to do on your own? 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. The most trusted name in education-based resources for Veterans. Service Connection for Bilateral Pes Planus with Plantar Fasciitis, Filing a Claim for Secondary Service Connection for Bilateral Pes Planus with Plantar Fasciitis. These cookies may be set through our website by our advertising partners. 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. A current diagnosis of plantar fasciitis; and, Medical evidence demonstrating the link between pes planus and plantar, Veterans with pronounced unilateral flat foot are rated at, Veterans with severe bilateral flat feet are rated at, Veterans with severe unilateral flat foot are rated at. Most of the time, pes planus does not cause serious symptoms and treatment may not be necessary. Another condition that may exacerbate plantar fasciitis is pes planus. How to Get a 100 Percent VA Rating (if deserved)! This includes things like requests fordifferent boots to be issued, requests for insoles or inserts. 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. Its FREE to get started, so click Go Elite Now below to complete our 3-step intake process. The C&P examiner might order X-Rays of your feet to help determine if there is objective medical evidence, such as calcified heel spurs. When these tendons do not pull properly, the foot has little or no arch, resulting in flat feet. Rating 5269 Plantar fasciitis: No relief from both non-surgical and surgical treatment, bilateral: 30 . Have you been affected by Camp Lejeune water contamination? A C&P exam for plantar fasciitis usually involves a physical examination and history of your foot condition and severity of symptoms over time. Both flat feet and plantar fasciitisare often caused by genetic conditions. What are the Flat Feet VA Disability Ratings? Veterans can be rated between0 percentand50 percenton a scale of mild (least severe) to pronounced (most severe). Signup to never miss a beat with special offers, blog updates, exclusive trainings, and more delivered right to your inbox! 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. Confidential or time-sensitive information should not be sent through this form. 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. Work with us and well see if we can prove that your injury happened during your active duty, even if it didnt happen in combat or during wartime. If you need accredited representation to guide you through your appeal for VA disability benefits for bilateral pes planus, Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick may be able to help. bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis 50% My supplemental claim was for bilateral pes planus, which after my QTC exam I was certain I would be rated at the pronounced bilateral rating of 50% due to my conversation with the examiner and her comments as she examined my feet. Unilateral means that only one foot is affected, while bilateral means that both feet have developed symptoms. For a free case evaluation, reach out to CCK today at 800-544-9144 or throughthis online contact form. Copyright 2023 Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick LTD. All Rights Reserved. VA rates both pes planus and plantar fasciitis under 38 CFR 4.71a, the Schedule of Ratings for the Musculoskeletal System. Tucson, AZ: One South Church Avenue, 12th Floor, Tucson, AZ, 85701 How to File a Claim on VA.gov (step-by-step)! ), NEW VA Rating for Plantar Fasciitis Criteria from 0% to 30%, Secondary Service Connection for Plantar Fasciitis, How to Prepare for Your C&P Exam for Plantar Fasciitis. 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. Rating question. Pes planus ( flat feet) and plantar fasciitis is it 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. By using our website, you agree to the use of certain cookies. Finally, we invite you to contact us and we welcome your calls, letters and electronic mail. 13:13 Plantar Fasciitis VA Ratings in 2022, 15:15 Signs and symptoms to look for in your feet, 16:45 Plantar Fasciitis can be unbelievably painful, dont downplay your symptoms, 19:00 Here are the common risk factors for Plantar Fasciitis. This communication with the firm or any member of the firm does not establish an attorney-client relationship. 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). When this occurs, the veteran applying for disability benefits will need to undergo a C & P exam. With actual loss of use of the foot, a 40% rating is awarded. Plantar fasciitis, on the other hand, is a foot injury. Standing for extended periods and activities such as running can often trigger symptoms of pes planus. 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. TDIU stands for total disability individual unemployability, Denied VA Benefits? However, those with more severe cases may experience symptoms such as: Pes planus may also aggravate or lead to plantar fasciitis. 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. Finally rated at 70%. Okay, lets jump into how to get your pes planus rated for VA disability purposes. 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.. If you feel that you received an inaccurate or unfair rating, be aware that you can appeal this by requesting aVA higher-level review. Sign up for our weekly email newsletter to stay updated on VA news, policy changes, and more. 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. For a limited time, you can book a free, no-obligation VA Claim Discovery Call with one of our experts. Is there evidence of pain on any of the following? Where pes planus is bilateral and 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, a 50 percent rating is to be assigned. Seattle, WA: 506 2nd Ave,Suite 1400,Seattle, WA 98104. 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. 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. 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. 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. 38 CFR 4.26 - Bilateral factor. | Electronic Code of Federal Do you think you might have Plantar Fasciitis? 24. The 20 percent rating for flat feet is appropriate for unilateral pes planus with objective evidence of marked deformity (pronation, abduction, etc. 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. Any injury that happens to you during your active duty is elligible for VA disability. 14. Prokarym v. Whether your case of flat feet is unilateral or bilateral will have an impact on yourVA disability rating. To calculate what effect yourVA disability rating for foot pain will have on your compensation package, you can use ourVA disability calculator. you viewed to avoid repetition. 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). Does the Veteran have marked inward displacement and severe spasm of the Achilles tendon (rigid hindfoot) on manipulation of one or both feet? To qualify for secondary service connection, veterans generally must provide medical evidence linking the secondary condition to the service-connected condition. If yes, provide type of test or procedure, date, and results. Does the Veteran have pain on manipulation of the feet? 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. 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. You might even have medical records of treatment for pes planus or plantar fasciitis while in service. The podiatrist will take X-rays and recommend the least invasive method possible for treating plantar fasciitis. The body needs uric acid to break down purines that are found in certain foods,. Updated: August 18, 2021. Copyright 2023 VA Claims Insider, LLC. 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. If you have bilateral plantar fasciitis, you could be eligible to receive aVAdisability rating for foot pain of 50%. This information is made available for educational purposes only and to provide general information and a general understanding of the law. Once the form is filled out, veterans can submit the form to VA online, in person, or by mail. Have you been affected by Camp Lejeune water contamination? Regardless of the Veterans current employment status, do the condition(s) listed in the diagnosis section impact his or her ability to perform any type of occupational task (such as standing, walking, lifting, sitting, etc.)? These cookies allow the website to remember choices you make to give you better functionality and personal features. Copyright 2023 Hill & Ponton, P.A.. All Rights Reserved. If you have unilateral pes planus (affecting one foot), youcan receive aVA disability rating for foot pain of 20%. VA Disability Ratings for Flat Feet - Hill & Ponton, P.A. Serviceenvironments are a common cause orcontributing factorof flat feet and plantar fasciitis. Veterans can be rated between0 percentand50 percenton a scale of mild (least severe) to pronounced (most severe). Whats more,you only have to pay for our services if we win your case for you. The rating criteria are as follows: Flat feet among veterans can be caused by a variety of factors. The reason it is a risk is that the arch of ones foot directly acts to protect the tissue of the plantar fascia. ), pain on manipulation and use accentuated, indication of swelling on use, characteristic callosities (yellow calluses). However, if you go back there might be a paper trail that ties your affliction to service-related activities. Does the Veteran use arch supports or built-up shoes? 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. Cookies help us deliver the best experience on our website. The legal firm of Hill & Ponton is here to help. 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. Feel free to call us at (866) 232-5777 anytime. Pes Planus with metatarsalgia - Veterans Benefits Network Camp Lejeune Lawsuit. Columbus, OH: 100 E. Campus View Boulevard, Suite #250, Columbus, OH, 43235 If accepted into our ELITE membership program, youll get free up-front access and permission to use $13,119 worth of proprietary VA claim resources, including access to our network of independent medical professionals for medical examinations, disability evaluations, and credible Medical Nexus Letters, which could help you get a HIGHER VA rating in LESS time. 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. 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%). Already working with us? 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. These cookies do not store any personal information. Los Angeles, CA: 10880 Wilshire Blvd., Ste 1101, Los Angeles, CA 90025 10. Also note that you might have entered military service with flat feet, which is known as a pre-service disability.. They do not store directly personal information, but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. Very often, flat feet cause plantar fasciitis because the arch of the foot is putting extra strain on the plantar fascia, stretching it away from the heel. Chicago, IL: 332 S. Michigan Avenue, Floors 8 and 9, Chicago, IL 60604 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. VA rates flatfoot under38 CFR 4.71a, diagnostic code 5276. 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. I have only been in the military for a year from 2004 - 2005. We have updated our Privacy Policy. When you visit web sites, they may store or retrieve data in your web browser. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. The plantar fascia acts as a shock absorber and supports the arch of the foot. 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. Some Veterans may experience plantar fasciitis symptoms in both feet simultaneously or just one foot at a time. However, if the veteran has actual loss of use of the foot, the rating is 40%. This information is made available for educational purposes only and to provide general information and a general understanding of the law. Its your choice now that you know the truth and the truth will set you free. These requirements include: If you are service connected for pes planus and later develop plantar fasciitis, you can file a claim for service connection on a secondary basis. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Box 449, Deland, FL 32721, Orlando, FL: 605 E. Robinson Street Suite 635, Orlando, FL 32801 What is the Pain Motion Principle for Flat Feet? Flat feet can also be caused by age-related weakening of the tendons within the feet. 21:30 Request a referral from your primary care or VA doctor to see a Podiatrist. 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. you viewed to avoid repetition. Keep in mind flat feet can also develop after an injury or from everyday wear-and-tear such as military service. You will need to get an outside opinion from a non-VA doctor and argue against the original examiners conclusions. 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. During this, a VA doctor will assess your foot trouble and assign you a rating. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) awards disability benefits for pes planus to veterans who meet the requirements for service connection. 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. 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. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. 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. If you have yet to claim VAdisability for flat feet and plantar fasciitis, you should do so without delay. According to the National Institute of Health, this is because pes planus can cause an increased strain at the origin of the plantar fascia. Although foot pain originates in the heel with plantar fasciitis, it can gravitate upwards towards the toes. Are you having trouble getting VAdisability for flat feet and plantar fasciitis? Effective February 7, 2021, plantar fasciitis is rated under CFR 38, part 4, VA schedule of ratings, diagnostic code 5269, plantar fasciitis. 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.