Research has shownthat veterans are at a much higher risk of developing these conditions. 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. 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.. We guide our clients through the most difficult times in their lives with courtesy, respect, and professionalism. These cookies allow the website to remember choices you make to give you better functionality and personal features. Why Hire CCK for Your VA Disability Appeal? Copyright 2023 Hill & Ponton, P.A.. All Rights Reserved. Plantar Fasciitis and Secondary VA Claims, Top 3 Ways to Get a VA Rating for Flat Feet (The Insiders Guide). Fill out the short form below to contact us. The third part can be satisfied with a credible medical nexus letter from a qualified medical professional. For instance, which pages you go to most. They do not store directly personal information, but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. When the tissues are overstretched and overused, tears can occur. A veterans final VA disability rating for plantar fasciitis depends upon the frequency, severity, and duration of symptoms. Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain in veterans. 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. Cincinnati, OH: 300 E Business Way, Suite 200, Summit Woods Corporate Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45241 8. This will receive aVAdisability rating for foot pain of 10%. This information is made available for educational purposes only and to provide general information and a general understanding of the law. 12:45 How are VA disability claims for Plantar Fasciitis rated? 16. 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. you viewed to avoid repetition. By continuing to use our website, you agree to these updates. Please complete this form to send us your message. Having flat feet is also a risk factor for developing plantar fasciitis. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. In this case, veterans must show that their pes planus and plantar fasciitis prevent them from securing such employment. Evidence of a service-connected primary disability (such as Knee Strain, Lumbar Strain or Back Pain, Hip Condition). you viewed to avoid repetition. When you visit web sites, they may store or retrieve data in your web browser. The accredited attorneys and claims agents at CCK have decades of experience successfully representing veterans before VA, the Board of Veterans Appeals, and the Court of Appeal for Veterans Claims (CAVC) and we may be able to put our experience to work for you. 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." 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. 21:30 Request a referral from your primary care or VA doctor to see a Podiatrist. Through the rating criteria in this code, the VA will evaluate your symptoms and give you a rating on a scale of 0% (mild disability)to 50% (pronounced disability). Updated: August 18, 2021. 4.26 Bilateral factor. Heres the brutal truth about VA disability claims: We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. In my MEPS record they marked my feet down as Mild Pes Planus Asymptomatic. For instance, which pages you go to most. Estimate your 2023 VA Rating & Compensation for FREE! 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. 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. The VA will outline the steps involved with appealing a C & P exam in its initial communication. Service Connection for Bilateral Pes Planus with Plantar Fasciitis, Filing a Claim for Secondary Service Connection for Bilateral Pes Planus with Plantar Fasciitis. What many veterans dont know is that they may be able to receive service-connected disability compensation for their plantar fasciitis if they can demonstrate a connection. Okay, lets jump into how to get your pes planus rated for VA disability purposes. So, it implicates VA's bilateral factor. 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. 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? Whats more,you only have to pay for our services if we win your case for you. 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. This website adheres to the W3Cs AA Accessibility guidelines. 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. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If your case of plantar fasciitis is deemed severe, you may be eligible to receive a VA disability rating of 20-30%. Why Hire CCK for Your VA Disability Appeal? 20. 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. The reason it is a risk is that the arch of ones foot directly acts to protect the tissue of the plantar fascia. Do You Have Long-Term Disability Insurance Coverage? 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. At the same time, many people naturally develop flat feet later in life, thanks to conditions such as diabetes and obesity. However, activities and conditions that place strain on the feet can often aggravate the condition, resulting in pain, tissue damage, and difficulty with movement. 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. The body needs uric acid to break down purines that are found in certain foods,. The 20 percent rating for flat feet is appropriate for unilateral pes planus with objective evidence of marked deformity (pronation, abduction, etc. Pain may start in the heel and move towards the toes. Click Go Elite Now below to get started today and a member of our team will be in touch within minutes. 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. The diagnosis of degenerative arthritis (osteoarthritis) or post-traumatic arthritis must be confirmed by imaging studies. However, if you go back there might be a paper trail that ties your affliction to service-related activities. We advocate for the disabled. For a free case evaluation, reach out to CCK today at 800-544-9144 or throughthis online contact form. To find out more, view our Privacy Policy. 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. Veterans who qualify for TDIU must demonstrate they are unable to maintain gainful employment due to a 100 percent combined disability rating. If you feel that you received an inaccurate or unfair rating, be aware that you can appeal this by requesting aVA higher-level review. 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 . If your foot problems stem from your time in service, then youneed to get the compensation you deserve. Another marker is if the condition is not relieved in any way by foot supports. How to handle your C&P Exam for your VA benefits. A 10 percent rating applies for cases of plantar fasciitis classified as otherwise. 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. When you visit web sites, they may store or retrieve data in your web browser. These cookies may be set through our website by our advertising partners. As with a primary disability rating for plantar fasciitis, veterans need to present the following when applying for VA disability for a secondary service connection: Veterans who entered military service with pre-existing heel pain or foot injuries may be able to claim service connection by aggravation if their plantar fasciitis worsened. 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. The max rating for bilateral pes planus is 50% the max rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis is 30%. Camp Lejeune Lawsuit. By continuing to use our website, you agree to these updates. The condition wouldn't get the bilateral factor unless there was another lower extremity issue like say a knee or ankle condition. 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%. 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. The photo below is an example of yellow calluses and cracking of the heel. If you have unilateral pes planus (affecting one foot), youcan receive aVA disability rating for foot pain of 20%. These cookies collect information about how you use our website. 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. As with flat feet, the VA rates plantar fasciitis on a scale of mild to pronounced and awards disabilities ratings from 0% to 50%. If you have bilateral plantar fasciitis, you could be eligible to receive a VA disability rating for foot pain of 50%. If you have foot pain from flat feet, this might be because you developed plantar fasciitis. 22. Portland, OR: 650 N. E. Holladay Street, Suite 1600, Portland, OR, 97232 15. 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. Any injury that happens to you during your active duty is elligible for VA disability. The diagnostic codes and criteria for plantar fasciitis and pes planus VA ratings are as follows: VA rates plantar fasciitis under38 CFR 4.71a, diagnostic code 5269. Have you been affected by Camp Lejeune water contamination? 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? I started with 20% due to diabetes Agent Orange. The same if you have bilateral plantar fasciitis. we represent clients nationwide. 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. Already working with us? Denial after denial. For example, maybe your bilateral heel pain is so severe, that you have difficulty walking and require help during periods of flareups. Meaning, the more severe your symptoms are, the higher the VA rating for plantar fasciitis. If both of your feet are affected, you may qualify for a VA disability rating of 30%. Hear from fellow Veterans just like you, with many of our Business Development Representatives having gone through our programs. 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. 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. Once such arthritis has been documented, even if in the past, no further imaging studies are required by VA, even if arthritis has worsened. Another condition that may exacerbate plantar fasciitis is pes planus. ), pain on manipulation and use accentuated, indication of swelling on use, characteristic callosities (yellow calluses). Do You Qualify for Long Term Disability Benefits? 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: . Does the Veteran have decreased longitudinal arch height of one or both feet on weight-bearing? The rating criteria are as follows: Flat feet among veterans can be caused by a variety of factors. What Should I Expect at a Flat Feet VA C&P Exam? During a C & P exam for plantar fasciitis, a doctor may take X-rays and likely physically examine each foot. As the nature of military service involves an intense level of physicality, specifically with regard to walking or running, many veterans experience foot conditions as the result of their service. 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). How to Get a 100 Percent VA Rating (if deserved)! These cookies collect information about how you use our website. Pes Planus, Aka flatfoot or flat feet is common among army veterans, air force service members, marines, and navy vets. Cleveland, OH: 600 Superior Ave. East, Fifth Third Building, Suite 1300, Cleveland, OH, 44114 Sometimes the C&P examiner will order X-Rays of one or both feet to check for foot deformities such as calcified heel spurs. 23. What are the Flat Feet VA Disability Ratings? They may be used by those companies to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant advertisements on other websites. Call today for a free case evaluation. Pes planus is characterized by pain on manipulation and use of the feet or other foot pain as included in the higher evaluation criteria. 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. 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). These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. Plantar Fasciitis and Flat Foot VA Ratings. 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. The plantar fascia acts as a shock absorber and supports the arch of the foot. Do You Need Help Getting VA Disability for Flat Feet and 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. If you apply, and this is granted to you, you will be compensated at the 100% level. Phoenix, AZ: One Renaissance Tower, Two North Central Avenue, 18th & 19th Floor, Phoenix, AZ 85004 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 Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) awards disability benefits for pes planus to veterans who meet the requirements for service connection. 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? To calculate what effect yourVA disability rating for foot pain will have on your compensation package, you can use ourVA disability calculator. Cookies help us deliver the best experience on our website. San Jose, CA: 2880 Zanker Road, Ste. If youre stuck, frustrated, underrated, and currently rated between 0%-90%, VA Claims Insider Elite is for you! A C&P exam for plantar fasciitis usually involves a physical examination and history of your foot condition and severity of symptoms over time. 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. They may be used by those companies to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant advertisements on other websites. Do You Qualify for Long Term Disability Benefits? Los Angeles, CA: 10880 Wilshire Blvd., Ste 1101, Los Angeles, CA 90025 Finally, we invite you to contact us and we welcome your calls, letters and electronic mail. 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. Click Go Elite Now below to get started today and a member of our team will be in touch within minutes. Signup to never miss a beat with special offers, blog updates, exclusive trainings, and more delivered right to your inbox! 20:55 What kind of Plantar Fasciitis treatments are available for you to do on your own? An increased strain on the plantar fascia can lead to plantar fasciitis. On this form, veterans will want to ensure that they are filing for plantar fasciitis as secondary to pes planus. 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. How to Get a VA Disability Rating for Flat Feet and Plantar Fasciitis, How Foot Pain Impacts Your OverallCompensation. 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. One of our VA disability lawyers talks about common combinations of disabilities that add up to 100% TDIU. The maximum scheduler rating for severe bilateral pes planus (flat feet) is 50 percent. Since 2016, VA Claims Insider has helped thousands of Veterans just like you get the VA rating and compensation they deserve in less time. Medical records for aggravated or secondary conditions must prove that the new injury is not temporary. VA rates both pes planus and plantar fasciitis under 38 CFR 4.71a, the Schedule of Ratings for the Musculoskeletal System. 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. Is there indication of swelling on use? For one or both feet, is the weight-bearing line over or medial to the great toe? TDIU stands for total disability individual unemployability, Denied VA Benefits? Veterans can learn more about how to qualify for TDIU benefits here. 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. DATES: Effective February 7, 2021. 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. 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. 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). Since 2016, VA Claims Insider has helped thousands of Veterans just like you get the VA rating and compensation they deserve in less time. If only one foot displays symptoms, veterans are eligible for the next highestVA disability rating for foot pain of 30%. You're not alone. TDIU stands for total disability individual unemployability. The most trusted name in education-based resources for Veterans. 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. 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. 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. Note: Diagnostic Testing is not necessary for every condition. Estimate your 2023 VA Rating & Compensation for FREE! 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 you fall into this category you will get aVA disability rating of 0%. These cookies dont collect information that identifies you. Congenital plantar fasciitis is NOT compensable or pensionable unless you claim aggravation of a pre-service condition.. 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. Veterans can be rated between0 percentand50 percenton a scale of mild (least severe) to pronounced (most severe). Pes planus, flatfoot, is rated for acquired flatfoot. 2. 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. Keep in mind flat feet can also develop after an injury or from everyday wear-and-tear such as military service. 19. Its also important to document whether youve tried heel cups, inserts, or night splints, and if those devices help or not. Brian Reese here, Air Force service-disabled Veteran and Founder @ VA Claims Insider. If you have bilateral plantar fasciitis, you could be eligible to receive aVAdisability rating for foot pain of 50%. 21. What happens in the foot can affect the ankle. Plain or weight-bearing foot x-rays are not required to make the diagnosis of flatfoot. By using our website, you agree to the use of certain cookies. Although foot pain originates in the heel with plantar fasciitis, it can gravitate upwards towards the toes. After reviewing the medical records, the next step is to file a VA disability benefits appeal. With actual loss of use of the foot, a 40% rating is awarded. Brian Reese here, Air Force service-disabled Veteran and Founder @ VA Claims Insider. Has Diagnostic Testing been performed? The information these cookies collect will not personally identify you, and they cannot track your browsing activity on other websites. These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. You might even have medical records of treatment for pes planus or plantar fasciitis while in service. However, if the veteran has actual loss of use of the foot, the rating is 40%. 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.. 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. Doctors and patients sometimes refer to plantar fasciitis as runners heel, painful sole syndrome, or neuritis. Its FREE to get started, so click Go Elite Now below to complete our 3-step intake process. 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. Pes planus is a condition that often affects both feet. Is there marked pronation of one foot or both feet? Contact Us Does the Veteran have extreme tenderness of plantar surfaces on one or both feet? If VA denied your claim for pes planus or plantar fasciitis, Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick may be able to help you appeal the decision. For a limited time, you can book a free, no-obligation VA Claim Discovery Call with one of our experts. 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. Foot and ankle injuries can also cause flat feet.
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