The Department of Veterans Affairs changed its schedule of ratings for plantar fasciitis effective February 7, 2021. 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. This information is not a substitute for legal advice. I have only been in the military for a year from 2004 - 2005. 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%). 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. What Should I Expect at a Flat Feet VA C&P Exam? eCFR :: 38 CFR 4.26 -- Bilateral factor. 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? 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. Copyright 2023 Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick LTD. All Rights Reserved. Federal Register :: Schedule for Rating Disabilities: Musculoskeletal 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 . One of our VA disability lawyers talks about common combinations of disabilities that add up to 100% TDIU. Does the Veteran have pain on manipulation of the feet? If only one foot displays symptoms, veterans are eligible for the next highestVA disability rating for foot pain of 30%. Even got stress fractures on my tib/fib probably . Pes planus is characterized by pain on manipulation and use of the feet or other foot pain as included in the higher evaluation criteria. 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. If yes, describe the functional impact of each condition, providing one or more examples. 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. 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). Finally, we invite you to contact us and we welcome your calls, letters and electronic mail. They may also be used to keep track of what [products, video, links, etc.] Once the form is filled out, veterans can submit the form to VA online, in person, or by mail. If both of your feet are affected, you may qualify for a VA disability rating of 30%. USCAVC: Search 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. 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. If so, the rating you receive for this will impact your existing rating. Your VAdisability rating for foot pain from pes planus or plantar fasciitis can affect your overall disability rating and compensation in a number of ways. VA.gov Home | Veterans Affairs VA Disability Ratings for Flat Feet - Hill & Ponton, P.A. 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. A medical nexus, or link, connecting pes planus to the in-service event. Contact Us Estimate your 2023 VA Rating & Compensation for FREE! They may also be used to keep track of what [products, video, links, etc.] Bilateral Pes Planus (Flat Feet) VA Ratings | CCK Law During a C & P exam for plantar fasciitis, a doctor may take X-rays and likely physically examine each foot. For one, you will have to prove that your symptoms are directly related to your time in service. Congenital means a disease or physical abnormality present since birth, whereas Acquired means a disease or physical abnormality that developed after birth. Having pes planus, or flat feet, can be an aggravating factor for plantar fasciitis. THEN 30 and THEN 50%. Without these cookies, services you have asked for cannot be provided. 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 consistently provide experienced, compassionate and ethical representation to our clients. For instance, which pages you go to most. The specific criteria for each VA rating are: VA also notes that if a veterans plantar fasciitis results in the loss of use of the foot they will receive a 40 percent rating. Top 5 Facts for Veterans with Flat Feet VA Disability Claim 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. So, it implicates VA's bilateral factor. Because the maximum rating for this foot injury is 40 percent, veterans applying for TDIU must have at least a 60 percent disability rating from one or more primary or secondary conditions to qualify for TDIU. The podiatrist will take X-rays and recommend the least invasive method possible for treating plantar fasciitis. Flat feet, which is medically termed pes planus, is characterized by fallen arches and foot pain. Let's talk about your VA disability benefits. Click the button below to start for FREE. Since that time, we have provided compassionate 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. Finally, we invite you to contact us and we welcome your calls, letters and electronic mail. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) awards disability benefits for pes planus to veterans who meet the requirements for service connection. 10. 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. 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. Common causes and risk factors for developing flat feet include: Other risk factors, such asobesityand partaking in frequent high-impact physical activity, like military training, may also lead to the development of flat feet. 4. Unilateral means that only one foot is affected, while bilateral means that both feet have developed symptoms. His frustration with the8-step VA disability claims processled him to createVA Claims Insider,which provides U.S. military veterans with tips, strategies, and lessons learned for successfully submitting or re-submitting a winning VA disability compensation claim. The same if you have bilateral plantar fasciitis. 38 C.F.R. Most of the time, pes planus does not cause serious symptoms and treatment may not be necessary. Tucson, AZ: One South Church Avenue, 12th Floor, Tucson, AZ, 85701 If yes, indicate the effect of symptoms and if the veteran receives relief in one or both sides of the foot. 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. As a fellow disabled Veteran this is shameful and Im on a mission to change it. 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. Except as provided in paragraph (d) of this section, when a partial disability results from disease or injury of both arms, or of both legs, or of paired skeletal muscles, the ratings for the disabilities of the right and left sides will be combined as usual, and 10 percent of this value will be added (i.e., not combined) before proceeding with further combinations . Learn more about us, Veterans Disability Claim document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); They brought me from being stuck at 30%. What happens in the foot can affect the ankle. You're not alone. If the VA deems that there is some suggestion of a link between your current disability and your time in service, they will order a Compensation and Pension (C&P) exam. VA rates veterans with flatfoot under38 C.F.R 4.71a, diagnostic code 5276. 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. However, in some cases, it can become a chronic condition. The primary symptom of the foot condition plantar fasciitis is tenderness and pain on the underside of one or both feet that worsens with weight-bearing activities like walking. 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. Denial after denial. Service connection on a secondary basis requires a showing of causation.. For one or both feet, is the weight-bearing line over or medial to the great toe? Plantar fasciitis can make walking and other physical activities significantly more difficult. 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%. 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. 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. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. The diagnosis of degenerative arthritis (osteoarthritis) or post-traumatic arthritis must be confirmed by imaging studies. 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. 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. 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. Is there evidence of pain on any of the following? 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. 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. A showing of causation requires that the secondary disability be shown to be proximately due to or proximately aggravated by another service-connected disability. DATES: Effective February 7, 2021. I started with 20% due to diabetes Agent Orange. medical nexus letter from a qualified medical professional. Ligaments and tendons from the lower leg and the foot form the arches in feet. Since 2016, VA Claims Insider has helped thousands of Veterans just like you get the VA rating and compensation they deserve in less time. Research has shownthat veterans are at a much higher risk of developing these conditions. The information these cookies collect will not personally identify you, and they cannot track your browsing activity on other websites. By using our website, you agree to the use of certain cookies. How are Pes Planus and Plantar Fasciitis Connected? If you have yet to claim VAdisability for flat feet and plantar fasciitis, you should do so without delay. 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). The rating criteria are as follows: Flat feet among veterans can be caused by a variety of factors. Although foot pain originates in the heel with plantar fasciitis, it can gravitate upwards towards the toes. 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. Is there indication of swelling on use? Got administratively separated because of Pes Planus. However, those with more severe cases may experience symptoms such as: Pes planus may also aggravate or lead to plantar fasciitis. Hear from fellow Veterans just like you, with many of our Business Development Representatives having gone through our programs. Having flat feet is also a risk factor for developing plantar fasciitis. List of VA Secondary Conditions to Flat Feet. Any injury that happens to you during your active duty is elligible for VA disability. The effects of flat feet can vary greatly from case to case. If you do not allow these cookies, you will experience less targeted advertising. Houston, TX: 2925 Richmond Ave, 12th Floor, Houston, TX 77098 Its FREE to get started, so click Go Elite Now below to complete our 3-step intake process. In this post, we will be exploring how to increase your VA Rating for Plantar Fasciitis. These cookies collect information about how you use our website. Heres the brutal truth about VA disability claims: We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Some Veterans may experience plantar fasciitis symptoms in both feet simultaneously or just one foot at a time. 2. 21. The reason it is a risk is that the arch of ones foot directly acts to protect the tissue of the plantar fascia. 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." To enhance your chances of success, you shouldalso talk to aVA disability lawyer. 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. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. 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. These cookies are essential so that you can move around the website and use its features. Sometimes the C&P examiner will order X-Rays of one or both feet to check for foot deformities such as calcified heel spurs. After reviewing the medical records, the next step is to file a VA disability benefits appeal. Description and proof of an in-service event that caused the foot pain or foot injury leading to plantar fasciitis. Before we take a look at the VA rating for flat foot and plantar fasciitis, lets quickly examine exactly what these two conditions are and how they differ. Pes planus, flatfoot, is rated for acquired flatfoot. When the tissues are overstretched and overused, tears can occur. 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. 13. 24. 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. Total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU). Keep in mind flat feet can also develop after an injury or from everyday wear-and-tear such as military service. If you think you have a foot disorder such as pes planus (flat feet), but dont have a medical diagnosis,pick-up the phone and call the VA facility nearest youto make an appointment right away. 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. Already working with us? All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. Cookies help us deliver the best experience on our website. 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. 8. This includes things like requests fordifferent boots to be issued, requests for insoles or inserts. How to Get a VA Disability Rating for Flat Feet and Plantar Fasciitis, How Foot Pain Impacts Your OverallCompensation. 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).
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