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. 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. The same if you have bilateral plantar fasciitis. Phoenix, AZ: One Renaissance Tower, Two North Center Avenue, 18th & 19th Floor, Phoenix, AZ 85004 These cookies do not store any personal information. Any injury that happens to you during your active duty is elligible for VA disability. 3. This information is made available for educational purposes only and to provide general information and a general understanding of the law. Fill out the short form below to contact us. When you visit web sites, they may store or retrieve data in your web browser. Treat your claims like it's one of their own. 1 On December 18, 2014, Leigh A. Bradley was sworn in as VA's General Counsel. Houston, TX: 2925 Richmond Ave, 12th Floor, Houston, TX 77098 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. If it is bilateral (affects both feet) then your disability rating may be 30%. Brian Reese here, Air Force service-disabled Veteran and Founder @ VA Claims Insider. Plantar fasciitis and heel spurs both cause pain in your heel, but they're different conditions. They may also be used to keep track of what [products, video, links, etc.] Does procured evidence (statements from the Veteran) suggest pain, fatigability, weakness, lack of endurance, or incoordination which significantly limits functional ability during flare-ups and/or after repeated use over time? Cookies help us deliver the best experience on our website. The effects of flat feet can vary greatly from case to case. Furthermore, as to case summaries, reports of past results, individual lawyer biographies, news posts and other information pertaining to past and present cases, these descriptions are meant only to provide information to the public about the activities and experience of our law firm. 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. If yes, indicate the side(s) affected and if pain is manipulated on use. How are Pes Planus and Plantar Fasciitis Connected? 8. 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. 12:45 How are VA disability claims for Plantar Fasciitis rated? 15. 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. If you feel that you received an inaccurate or unfair rating, be aware that you can appeal this by requesting aVA higher-level review. By using our website, you agree to the use of certain cookies. Service Connection for Bilateral Pes Planus with Plantar Fasciitis, Filing a Claim for Secondary Service Connection for Bilateral Pes Planus with Plantar Fasciitis. Contact Us 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. 2 In addition, the Board granted entitlement to separate 10% disability ratings for left and right foot plantar fasciitis with pes planus for the period prior to July 26, 2013. Many veterans suffer from various foot conditions, including pes planus (more commonly known as flat feet) and plantar fasciitis, and are seeking to service connect their disabilities for VA benefits. Pes planus commonly referred to as "flat feet," is a relatively common foot deformity and is defined by the loss of the medial longitudinal arch of the foot where it contacts or nearly contacts the ground. Ligaments and tendons from the lower leg and the foot form the arches in feet. If you have bilateral plantar fasciitis, you could be eligible to receive aVAdisability rating for foot pain of 50%. Los Angeles, CA: 10880 Wilshire Blvd., Ste 1101, Los Angeles, CA 90025 The Court cannot disturb these favorable findings. Those foot problems have caused the veteran to have a problem with his gait and posture. Plantar fasciitis is a painful foot condition caused by inflammation deep within the fascia of the sole of the foot. can you get disability for plantar fasciitis. You may be owed compensation. Estimate your 2023 VA Rating & Compensation for FREE! The most trusted name in education-based resources for Veterans. 19. 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. 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. Additionally, people who work in professions that require long periods of time on their feet or who participate in certain forms of exercise, such as running, face an increased risk of developing pes planus or plantar fasciitis. 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. This can strain the tissues on the bottom of the feet and worsen plantar fasciitis. Meaning, the more severe your symptoms are, the higher the VA rating for plantar fasciitis. Look at the CFR and see if you would qualify for the higher ratings (20% is highest for one foot, 30% if it's both feet). 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. This data may be used to help optimize our websites and make them easier for you to navigate. 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. yet assertive representation for our clients. TDIU stands for total disability individual unemployability. Finally, we invite you to contact us and we welcome your calls, letters and electronic mail. A medical nexus, or link, connecting pes planus to the in-service event. They may be used by those companies to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant advertisements on other websites. This tissue acts as a shock absorber and supports the arch of the foot. List of Common Conditions Secondary to Flat Feet: Can I Get a VA Disability Rating for Flat Feet and Plantar Fasciitis? Pes Planus, or flat feet, was noted on physical examination. These cookies may be set through our website by our advertising partners. Plantar fasciitis is a painful foot condition caused by inflammation deep within the fascia of the sole of the foot. Portland, OR: 650 N. E. Holladay Street, Suite 1600, Portland, OR, 97232 If you have foot pain from flat feet, this might be because you developed plantar fasciitis. Chicago, IL: 332 S. Michigan Avenue, Floors 8 and 9, Chicago, IL 60604 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. This information is not a substitute for legal advice. Also note that you might have entered military service with flat feet, which is known as a pre-service disability.. How to File a Claim on VA.gov (step-by-step)! Philadelphia, PA: 1 International Plaza, Suite 550, Philadelphia, PA, 19113 va . To enhance your chances of success, you shouldalso talk to aVA disability lawyer. It can happen as a reaction to stress and inflammation caused by plantar fasciitis. 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.. Another marker is if the condition is not relieved in any way by foot supports. Overall, the Plantar Fasciitis VA ratings for 2020 operate on a 0% to 50% scale (including intermittent benefit percentiles at 10%, 20%, and 30%). 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. 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. We are sorry that this post was not as useful for you! 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. Have imaging studies been performed in conjunction with this examination? Have you been affected by Camp Lejeune water contamination? Does the Veteran have Functional Impact to their work, life, and social functioning? Many veterans suffer from various foot conditions, including pes planus (more commonly known as flat feet) and plantar fasciitis, and are seeking to service connect their disabilities for VA benefits. As a fellow disabled Veteran this is shameful and Im on a mission to change it. In this post, we will be exploring how to increase your VA Rating for Plantar Fasciitis. 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 most trusted name in education-based resources for Veterans. Columbus, OH: 100 E. Campus View Boulevard, Suite #250, Columbus, OH, 43235 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. This website adheres to the W3Cs AA Accessibility guidelines. What are the Flat Feet VA Disability Ratings? Many veterans have flat feet aggravated by military service (beyond their natural progression), in which case, youre eligible for VA disability benefits based upon aggravation of a pre-service disability, assuming you have medical evidence showing that your flat feet worsened over time. 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. 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. facts about plantar fasciitis and filing for disability. Without these cookies, services you have asked for cannot be provided. How to handle your C&P Exam for your VA benefits. you viewed to avoid repetition. 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. The VA will outline the steps involved with appealing a C & P exam in its initial communication. The information these cookies collect will not personally identify you, and they cannot track your browsing activity on other websites. 17. When these tissues are overstretched, tears can occur. On this . The information these cookies collect will not personally identify you, and they cannot track your browsing activity on other websites. 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. When this occurs, the veteran applying for disability benefits will need to undergo a C & P exam. Are you having trouble getting VAdisability for flat feet and plantar fasciitis? 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. A 22-year-old man presented in an orthopedic clinic complaining of pain in the left plantar heel for the past month. Both flat feet and plantar fasciitisare often caused by genetic conditions. 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. You will also need to ensure that you get a fair plantar fasciitis VA rating during the evaluation process. Heres the brutal truth about VA disability claims: CFR 38, Part 3, 3.306 Aggravation of Preservice Disability. Symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis Shooting or stabbing pain in the bottom of foot Pain that worsens with standing Pain that can be worst in the morning Swelling in the heel How to Service Connect Your Flat Feet for VA Disability. 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 be categorized as having severe plantar fasciitis, the followingcriteria need to be present: If you have plantar fasciitis in one foot, you may be eligible forVAdisability rating for foot pain of 20%. If only one foot displays symptoms, veterans are eligible for the next highestVA disability rating for foot pain of 30%. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. 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. This website adheres to the W3Cs AA Accessibility guidelines. Copyright 2023 VA Claims Insider, LLC. To qualify for secondary service connection, veterans generally must provide medical evidence linking the secondary condition to the service-connected condition. 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. Plain or weight-bearing foot x-rays are not required to make the diagnosis of flatfoot. 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. Now that we are clear on the differences and overlap of flat feet and plantar fasciitis, lets get into the details on theVA disability rating for foot pain. 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. Filing a claim for secondary service connection involves the same process as filing any claim for service connection. Pes Planus is a deformed foot in which the position of the bones relative to each other has been altered, with lowering of the longitudinal arch. On the other hand, if youare experiencinginward bowing of theAchilles tendon as well as pain when using your foot/feet, then you may be deemed to have a moderate case of plantar fasciitis. 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