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). Copyright 2023 VA Claims Insider, LLC. Is there a lower extremity deformity other than pes planus, causing alteration of the weight-bearing line? As regards to the joints, factors of disability reside in reductions of their normal excursion of movements in different planes. A 20 percent rating applies when the veteran meets the above requirements, but the plantar fasciitis only impacts one foot. Effective February 7, 2021, plantar fasciitis is rated under CFR 38, part 4, VA schedule of ratings, diagnostic code 5269, plantar fasciitis. Fill out the short form below to contact us. Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain in veterans. Ratings For Bilateral Pes Planus with Plantar Fasciitis, TDIU Benefits for Bilateral Pes Planus with Plantar Fasciitis, Get Help with Benefits for Bilateral Pes Planus, Plantar Fasciitis and Pes Planus VA Rating, VA Disability Ratings for Pes Planus (Flat Feet), VA Disability Benefits for Foot Conditions, Aches or pains in arches or heels of feet, Difficulty performing certain foot movements (ex: standing on your toes), Inflammation or damage to the posterior tibial tendon that runs from the lower leg to the ankle, and to the middle arch of the foot, Dislocated or broken bones in the legs or feet, Co-existing health conditions (ex: rheumatoid arthritis), Nerve damage, such as from peripheral neuropathy, Shooting or stabbing pain in the bottom of foot, A current diagnosis of bilateral pes planus; and, Evidence of an in-service event, or stressor, which caused the pes planus; and. 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. This website adheres to the W3Cs AA Accessibility guidelines. Hear from fellow Veterans just like you, with many of our Business Development Representatives having gone through our programs. WITHOUT Woods & Woods I would still be stuck at 30%. Both of these conditions can cause severe pain and disability. A C&P exam for plantar fasciitis usually involves a physical examination and history of your foot condition and severity of symptoms over time. Filing a claim for secondary service connection involves the same process as filing any claim for service connection. There are several risk factors for flat feet including: Obesity, injuries to your foot or ankles, rheumatoid arthritis, aging, and diabetes. Please complete this form to send us your message. Is there any other functional loss during flare-ups and/or after repeated use over time? Finally, we invite you to contact us and we welcome your calls, letters and electronic mail. All Rights Reserved. How to Increase Your VA Rating for Plantar Fasciitis: The Expert's Pes planus, flatfoot, is rated for acquired flatfoot. 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. you viewed to avoid repetition. Many veterans suffer from various foot conditions, VA Rating for Plantar Fasciitis: Common Symptoms in Veterans, WATCH: VA Disability Claims for Plantar Fasciitis (NEW Tips! 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). Pes planus is a condition that often affects both feet. 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. After is it finished, it isimportant that yourequesta copy of the C&P examination. VA rates flatfoot under38 CFR 4.71a, diagnostic code 5276. In those instances, the ratings for each side, the left and the right sides, are combined separately. This information is not a substitute for legal advice. Finally rated at 70%. Medical records for aggravated or secondary conditions must prove that the new injury is not temporary. Heres the brutal truth about VA disability claims: We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. 21:30 Request a referral from your primary care or VA doctor to see a Podiatrist. In this post, we will be exploring how to increase your VA Rating for Plantar Fasciitis. 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. Whats more,you only have to pay for our services if we win your case for you. Meaning, the more severe your symptoms are, the higher the VA rating for plantar fasciitis. Woods and Woods, LLC, Veterans Disability Lawyer, Veterans Disability Benefits Attorneys Helping Veterans Nationwide, Published on April 14, 2020 by Neil Woods Last Updated on August 31, 2022. However, before you begin the VA evaluation process, there are some important things you need to be aware of. You may be owed compensation. 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. If your military service aggravated your flat feet (made it worse), leading to plantar fasciitis (severe heel pain), you can still be rated and compensated under the law. The maximum scheduler rating for severe bilateral pes planus (flat feet) is 50 percent. The plantar fascia acts as a shock absorber and supports the arch of the foot. Does the Veteran have characteristic calluses? 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: . If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Veterans can learn more about how to qualify for TDIU benefits here. A special disability rating of 20 or 30 percent applies to veterans who received a surgical recommendation from their doctor but are not a candidate for surgery. 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. So, it implicates VA's bilateral factor. 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 have inward bowing of the Achilles tendon (i.e., hindfoot valgus, with lateral deviation of the heel) of one or both feet? How to claim secondary service connection for a VA disability, you should call us for a free review of your case, Without Woods and Woods I would still be stuck at 30%, 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, Pain when the foot is used or manipulated, Swelling occurring after use of the foot or feet, Presence of characteristic callosities (calluses), Increased pain when you move or use the foot/feet, Presence of callosities (calluses) particular to plantar fasciitis, 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, 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. Both flat feet and plantar fasciitisare often caused by genetic conditions. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. 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. Doctors and patients sometimes refer to plantar fasciitis as runners heel, painful sole syndrome, or neuritis. Thousands of other Veterans in our Community are here for you. Once such arthritis has been documented, even if in the past, no further imaging studies are required by VA, even if arthritis has worsened. 14. Unilateral means that only one foot is affected, while bilateral means that both feet have developed symptoms. 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. What are the Flat Feet VA Disability Ratings? How to Get a 100 Percent VA Rating (if deserved)! 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. 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. These cookies are essential so that you can move around the website and use its features. Another thing to know about pes planus is that it can be either unilateral or bilateral. Got administratively separated because of Pes Planus. 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. 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). They are not intended as a guarantee that we will obtain the same or similar results in every case we undertake. 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. 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. You're not alone. 16. To find out more, view our Privacy Policy. The exact amount of compensation that you will receive for your foot pain depends on a number of factors. A current diagnosis of plantar fasciitis on file with the Department of Veterans Affairs, Previous documentation of a primary service-connected disability, Evidence of a medical nexus that proves a connection between the previously claimed disability and the secondary disability of plantar fasciitis. Pes Planus with metatarsalgia - Veterans Benefits Network Current diagnosis of plantar fasciitis by a podiatrist or the veterans regular doctor. Denial after denial. Pes planus, flat feet, can place more pressure on the veteran's heels which can strain the tissues on the bottom of the feet and worsen plantar fasciitis. They may also be used to keep track of what [products, video, links, etc.] 38 CFR 4.26 - Bilateral factor. | Electronic Code of Federal TDIU stands for total disability individual unemployability. 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. Once the form is filled out, veterans can submit the form to VA online, in person, or by mail. How to File a Claim on VA.gov (step-by-step)! You're not alone. The criteria stipulate that veterans must haveone condition rated at 60 percent minimumORtwo conditions that can be combined to reach 70 percent, where one condition is at a minimum of 40 percent. The rating criteria are as follows: Flat feet among veterans can be caused by a variety of factors. 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. 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%). 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. Plantar Fasciitis and VA Compensation | CCK Law 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.. Pain may start in the heel and move towards the toes. 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. You might even have medical records of treatment for pes planus or plantar fasciitis while in service. Call today for a free case evaluation. 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. To file a claim for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis, veterans will need to fill out and submit VA Form 21-526, Application for Disability Compensation and Related Compensation Benefits. 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. If you have bilateral plantar fasciitis, you could be eligible to receive a VA disability rating for foot pain of 50%. Does the Veteran have extreme tenderness of plantar surfaces on one or both feet? 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.. Total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU). Let's talk about your VA disability benefits. Ratings range from 10 to 30 percent if the plantar fasciitis is affecting both feet and not responding to treatment, veterans will generally receive a higher rating. 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. The most trusted name in education-based resources for Veterans. Common examples include losing weight, wearing orthopedic shoes, wearing shoe inserts, or buying shoes with arch support. Click Go Elite Now below to get started today and a member of our team will be in touch within minutes. Click Go Elite Now below to get started today and a member of our team will be in touch within minutes. 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.)? Does the Veteran use arch supports or built-up shoes? Rating question. Pes planus ( flat feet) and plantar fasciitis is it They may be used by those companies to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant advertisements on other websites. VA Disability Ratings for Plantar Fasciitis - Hill & Ponton, P.A. 12. 19. 38 C.F.R. The 30 percent rating for pes planus is appropriate for bilateral flat feet with objective evidence of marked deformity (pronation, abduction, etc. If only one foot displays symptoms, veterans are eligible for the next highestVA disability rating for foot pain of 30%. Veterans should be prepared to discuss specific ways that heel pain impacts their life, such as the inability to walk long distances. 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. 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. Cleveland, OH: 600 Superior Ave. East, Fifth Third Building, Suite 1300, Cleveland, OH, 44114 Is the condition improved by orthopedic shoes or appliances? 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. VA Disability Ratings for Flat Feet - Hill & Ponton, P.A. We consistently provide experienced, compassionate and ethical representation to our clients. 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 so, the rating you receive for this will impact your existing rating. An important requirement for VA disability rating purposes is whether your foot condition is congenital or acquired. Pes planus and plantar fasciitis are two very common foot conditions that affect veterans. At the same time, many people naturally develop flat feet later in life, thanks to conditions such as diabetes and obesity. 22. 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. Repeated stretching and tearing can irritate or inflame the fascia, causing severe heel pain.. If yes, describe the functional impact of each condition, providing one or more examples. yet assertive representation for our clients. If you feel that you received an inaccurate or unfair rating, be aware that you can appeal this by requesting aVA higher-level review. 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. 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. 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. The information these cookies collect will not personally identify you, and they cannot track your browsing activity on other websites. 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.. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Once the form is filled out, veterans can submit the form to VA online, in person, or by mail. Here are three things that can help you in proving this and gaining compensation: At first, it might seem almost impossible to provide documented proof that something like flat feet or plantar fasciitis was caused during service. By continuing to use our website, you agree to these updates. Keep in mind flat feet can also develop after an injury or from everyday wear-and-tear such as military service. The highest scheduler rating for severe bilateral flat feet is 50%, whereas the highest scheduler rating for severe bilateral plantar fasciitis is 30%.
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