bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis va rating
VA Disability for Bilateral Pes Planus with Plantar Fasciitis 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. Like flat feet, plantar fasciitis can bebrought on by activities such as running, high impact training, and prolonged standing. Its also important to document whether youve tried heel cups, inserts, or night splints, and if those devices help or not. If during your examination the VA doctor findscertain qualifying criteria, youmay be assigned a VA disability rating of 10%. The 20 percent rating for flat feet is appropriate for unilateral pes planus with objective evidence of marked deformity (pronation, abduction, etc. The podiatrist will take X-rays and recommend the least invasive method possible for treating plantar fasciitis. As mentioned above, individuals with pes planus have a higher risk of developing plantar fasciitis. THEN 30 and THEN 50%. Houston, TX: 2925 Richmond Ave, 12th Floor, Houston, TX 77098 Veterans who plan to file for disability compensation should visit a podiatrist as soon as possible to receive an accurate diagnosis. Effective February 7, 2021, plantar fasciitis has its own diagnostic code (DC) 5269 with ratings that range from 10% to 30%, with a break at 20%. 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. To find out more, view our Privacy Policy. 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. Is the tenderness improved by orthopedic shoes or appliances? By continuing to use our website, you agree to these updates. 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. Okay, lets jump into how to get your pes planus rated for VA disability purposes. However, if you go back there might be a paper trail that ties your affliction to service-related activities. For instance, which pages you go to most. This percent rating only applies when plantar fasciitis affects both feet. Both of these conditions can be debilitating and cause pain in other areas such as the knees, back, and legs. Specifically, having flat feet can place more pressure on the veterans heels. The rating schedule is as follows: If a veteran has bilateral pes planus, with plantar fasciitis, they should be eligible for a 50 percent rating for their pronounced bilateral pes planus, and a 30 percent rating for their plantar fasciitis since it affects both feet. Chicago, IL: 332 S. Michigan Avenue, Floors 8 and 9, Chicago, IL 60604 Service Connection for Bilateral Pes Planus with Plantar Fasciitis, Filing a Claim for Secondary Service Connection for Bilateral Pes Planus with Plantar Fasciitis. 13. How Does VA Rate Bilateral Pes Planus with Plantar Fasciitis? 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 do not allow these cookies, you will experience less targeted advertising. List of Common Conditions Secondary to Flat Feet: Can I Get a VA Disability Rating for Flat Feet and Plantar Fasciitis? 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. Doctors and patients sometimes refer to plantar fasciitis as runners heel, painful sole syndrome, or neuritis. 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. Does the Veteran use arch supports or built-up shoes? 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. I got medical records from when I was in service for being seen for Pes Planus and 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. If it is bilateral (affects both feet) then your disability rating may be 30%. Many people who have flat feet or fallen arches never experience pain or impedimentswith walking. Does the Veteran have any Functional Loss due to his/her flat feet? VA rates veterans with flatfoot under38 C.F.R 4.71a, diagnostic code 5276. We invite veterans to get afree online evaluationfor your VA disability claim. 5. which may lead to all sorts of feet conditions like plantar fasciitis, pes planus, hallux valgus, and more.. 2. 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. 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. 22. As regards to the joints, factors of disability reside in reductions of their normal excursion of movements in different planes. Relationship Between Pes Planus and Plantar Fasciitis, VA Disability Rating for Pes Planus and Plantar Fasciitis, How to Prove Plantar Fasciitis Secondary to Pes Planus, TDIU for Pes Planus and Plantar Fasciitis, VA Disability for Bilateral Pes Planus with Plantar Fasciitis, VA Disability Ratings for Pes Planus (Flat Feet), Aches or pains in the areas of the arches or heels, Difficulty performing certain foot movements, such as standing on your toes, Inflammation or damage to the posterior tibial tendon which runs from the lower leg, down to the ankle, and to the middle of the arch of the foot, Dislocated or broken bones in the legs or feet, Nerve damage, such as from peripheral neuropathy. 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. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. Another condition that may exacerbate plantar fasciitis is pes planus. Click the button below to start for FREE. 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. What is the Pain Motion Principle for Flat Feet? The plantar fascia acts as a shock absorber and supports the arch of the foot. Using information based on a review of all procurable information, to include the Veterans statement on examination, case-specific evidence (to include medical treatment records when applicable and lay evidence), the examiners medical expertise, and physical exam, select the factors below that contribute to functional loss or impairment (regardless of repetitive use) or to additional limitation of range of motion (ROM) after repetitive use for the joint or extremity being evaluated on this Disability Benefits Questionnaire for Flat Feet: 18. 38 CFR 4.71a - Schedule of ratings - musculoskeletal system. 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. 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). 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. Finally, we invite you to contact us and we welcome your calls, letters and electronic mail. Finally rated at 70%. Does the Veteran have marked inward displacement and severe spasm of the Achilles tendon (rigid hindfoot) on manipulation of one or both feet? Available to vets all over the US, we specialize in getting veterans the compensation they deserve. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); They brought me from being stuck at 30%. Copyright 2023 Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick LTD. All Rights Reserved. WITHOUT Woods & Woods I would still be stuck at 30%. Plantar fasciitis is most common among runners, athletes, and people whose job requires them to stand on a hard surface for much of the day. 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. Tucson, AZ: One South Church Avenue, 12th Floor, Tucson, AZ, 85701 For example, perhaps you entered the military with flat feet but never had plantar fasciitis. Flat feet are considered a type of foot deformity (that can be exacerbated or triggered by strain). 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. If yes, indicate the side(s) affected and describe the lower extremity deformity other than pes planus causing alteration of the weight-bearing line. I started with 20% due to diabetes Agent Orange. Evidence of a service-connected primary disability (such as Knee Strain, Lumbar Strain or Back Pain, Hip Condition). The most trusted name in education-based resources for Veterans. Repeated stretching and tearing can irritate or inflame the fascia, causing severe heel pain.. San Jose, CA: 2880 Zanker Road, Ste. 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. 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. Pes planus is a condition that often affects both feet. 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. We guide our clients through the most difficult times in their lives with courtesy, respect, and professionalism. These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. These cookies are essential so that you can move around the website and use its features. If yes, indicate the effect of symptoms and if the veteran receives relief in one or both sides of the foot. 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.. For one or both feet, is the weight-bearing line over or medial to the great toe? 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. 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. Having flat feet is also a risk factor for developing plantar fasciitis. 21:30 Request a referral from your primary care or VA doctor to see a Podiatrist. For one, you will have to prove that your symptoms are directly related to your time in service. This website adheres to the W3Cs AA Accessibility guidelines. The Department of Veterans Affairs sometimes needs more information to determine whether a veteran has a legitimate impairment and to assign the appropriate disability rating. DATES: Effective February 7, 2021. If you fall into this category you will get aVA disability rating of 0%. 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. They may also be used to keep track of what [products, video, links, etc.] Most of the time, pes planus does not cause serious symptoms and treatment may not be necessary. 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). 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. These cookies allow the website to remember choices you make to give you better functionality and personal features. 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%. When you visit web sites, they may store or retrieve data in your web browser. Veterans who receive a diagnosis of plantar fasciitis leaving the military might still be eligible if medical evidence shows heel pain is proximately due to or aggravated by another service-connected disability such as knee strain, hip conditions, and/or back conditions. 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. 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. These cookies collect information about how you use our website. Effective February 7, 2021, plantar fasciitis is rated under CFR 38, part 4, VA schedule of ratings, diagnostic code 5269, plantar fasciitis. There are generally two ways that a veteran can qualify for TDIU: Forschedular TDIU, veterans must meet the criteria listed under38 CFR 4.16a. Phoenix, AZ: One Renaissance Tower, Two North Central Avenue, 18th & 19th Floor, Phoenix, AZ 85004 During a C & P exam for plantar fasciitis, a doctor may take X-rays and likely physically examine each foot. 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. If you are experiencing plantar fasciitis that can be relieved by shoe inserts and arch supports then the VA will likely give you a non-compensable rating of 0%. 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. If youre trying to increase your VA disability rating for flat feet, you need to prove to the VA that your symptoms are now worse and warrant the higher rating criteria by law. There is also a bilateral factormeaning veterans can get a higher VA rating for plantar fasciitis if they have the disability in both feet. eCFR :: 38 CFR 4.26 -- Bilateral factor. 12. Many veterans suffer from various foot conditions due to their military service, including severe heel pain, aka, plantar fasciitis. For a free case evaluation, reach out to CCK today at 800-544-9144 or throughthis online contact form. Maybe you enjoy running and working out, but youve had to stop or significantly alter your routines because of your plantar fasciitis. 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 you have bilateral plantar fasciitis, you could be eligible to receive a VA disability rating for foot pain of 50%. One of our VA disability lawyers talks about common combinations of disabilities that add up to 100% TDIU. Whats more,you only have to pay for our services if we win your case for you. An increased strain on the plantar fascia can lead to plantar fasciitis. The information these cookies collect will not personally identify you, and they cannot track your browsing activity on other websites. They may be used by those companies to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant advertisements on other websites. Yes. However, those with more severe cases may experience symptoms such as: Pes planus may also aggravate or lead to plantar fasciitis. The second part can be satisfied with a veterans existing service-connected disability rated at 0 percent or higher. Also note that you might have entered military service with flat feet, which is known as a pre-service disability.. 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. The condition wouldn't get the bilateral factor unless there was another lower extremity issue like say a knee or ankle condition. 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. I have only been in the military for a year from 2004 - 2005. 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. Brian Reese here, Air Force service-disabled Veteran and Founder @ VA Claims Insider. If yes, (there is a functional loss due to pain, during flare-ups and/or after repeated use over time), please describe the functional loss as well as cite and discuss evidence (must be specific to the case and based on all procurable evidence). Unilateral means that only one foot is affected, while bilateral means that both feet have developed symptoms. Since 2016, VA Claims Insider has helped thousands of Veterans just like you get the VA rating and compensation they deserve in less time. 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. 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. They do not store directly personal information, but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. How are Pes Planus and Plantar Fasciitis Connected? The 30 percent rating for pes planus is appropriate for bilateral flat feet with objective evidence of marked deformity (pronation, abduction, etc. 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. Is there objective evidence of marked deformity of one or both feet (pronation, abduction, etc.)? As a fellow disabled Veteran this is shameful and Im on a mission to change it. 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. By using our website, you agree to the use of certain cookies. 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. Plantar fasciitis can make walking and other physical activities significantly more difficult. 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. The VA will outline the steps involved with appealing a C & P exam in its initial communication. Portland, OR: 650 N. E. Holladay Street, Suite 1600, Portland, OR, 97232 These cookies do not store any personal information. 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? you viewed to avoid repetition. At the same time, many people naturally develop flat feet later in life, thanks to conditions such as diabetes and obesity. The effects of flat feet can vary greatly from case to case. 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. Bilateral Foot Issues: Calculations | HadIt.com: Disabled Veterans The rating criteria are as follows: Flat feet among veterans can be caused by a variety of factors. If you have undergone your Pension and Disability examination and are not happy with the result, you should call us for a free review of your case. For a limited time, you can book a free, no-obligation VA Claim Discovery Call with one of our experts. The maximum scheduler rating for severe bilateral pes planus (flat feet) is 50 percent. ), 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. If youre stuck, frustrated, underrated, and currently rated between 0%-90%, VA Claims Insider Elite is for you! This is why flat feet canbe directly connected as a service-related disability. 3. Federal Register :: Schedule for Rating Disabilities: Musculoskeletal 4.71a, DC 5276. However, before you begin the VA evaluation process, there are some important things you need to be aware of. How to Get a VA Disability Rating for Flat Feet and Plantar Fasciitis If you have yet to claim VA disability for flat feet and plantar fasciitis, you should do so without delay. 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. Since this is one of the leading risk factors for plantar fasciitis, making a service connection should not be difficult for veterans who receive X-rays and a proper diagnosis from their podiatrist or regular doctor. Estimate your 2023 VA Rating & Compensation for FREE! They may be used by those companies to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant advertisements on other websites. 30 percent rating when the veteran has received no relief from surgical or non-surgical treatment methods, such as wearing orthopedic shoes, inserts, or arch supports. Sometimes veterans are diagnosed with pes planus (flat feet). Plantar Fasciitis and Flat Foot VA Ratings. A medical nexus, or link, connecting pes planus to the in-service event. Copyright 2023 Woods and Woods, LLC | PO Box 1287 Evansville, IN 47706. bilateral foot disorder as secondary to a service-connected left knee disability. Camp Lejeune Lawsuit. In those instances, the ratings for each side, the left and the right sides, are combined separately. These cookies are essential so that you can move around the website and use its features. USCAVC: Search Deland, FL: 1607 South State Road 15A Suite 12 Deland, FL 32720, Satellite Offices 38 C.F.R. 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. 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. Plain or weight-bearing foot x-rays are not required to make the diagnosis of flatfoot. 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? Are you having trouble getting VAdisability for flat feet and plantar fasciitis? By using this information, you understand that there is no attorney-client relationship created by you reading or using the information contained on this website or in this newsletter, article, or blog.