Estimate your 2023 VA Rating & Compensation for FREE! 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. As a fellow disabled Veteran this is shameful and Im on a mission to change it. They are not intended as a guarantee that we will obtain the same or similar results in every case we undertake. This information is not a substitute for legal advice. 24. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. After is it finished, it isimportant that yourequesta copy of the C&P examination. 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. The body needs uric acid to break down purines that are found in certain foods,. 13. Some of the most common foot conditions veterans experience following service include pes planus (flat feet), plantar fasciitis, bunion deformity, and arthritis . Yes, flat feet and plantar fasciitis usually share the same diagnostic code. 24:00 Its important to note your foot pain may fluctuate over time. A heel spur is a bony growth that pokes out from the bottom of your heel where your heel bone connects to your plantar fascia. Are you having trouble getting VAdisability for flat feet and plantar fasciitis? disability ratings for shin splints, go here! 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. When these tissues are overstretched, tears can occur. 5. As a fellow disabled Veteran this is shameful and Im on a mission to change it. Its FREE to get started, so click Go Elite Now below to complete our 3-step intake process. Plantar fasciitis and heel spurs both cause pain in your heel, but they're different conditions. Plantar fasciitis is a painful foot condition caused by inflammation deep within the fascia of the sole of the foot. va rating for plantar fasciitis explained va claims insider. 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. This percent rating only applies when plantar fasciitis affects both feet. 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. 2022 private opinion which related the Veteran's current foot diagnosis of plantar fasciitis to service. 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. If you do not allow these cookies, you will experience less targeted advertising. Whether your case of flat feet is unilateral or bilateral will have an impact on yourVA disability rating. If I get the 60% for the CAD, I will be at 70% with the leg/knee/foot issues possibly pushing it up to 100%. Like flat feet, plantar fasciitis can bebrought on by activities such as running, high impact training, and prolonged standing. However, in some cases, it can become a chronic condition. 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). We advocate for the disabled. 203, San Jose, CA 95134 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. However, certain activities that place strain on the feet can trigger or cause the symptoms. They may also have a legal representative submit on their behalf. How to Service Connect Your Flat Feet for VA Disability. Currently, Veterans can receive a rating between 0 and 50 percent for pes planus. 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. We invite veterans to get afree online evaluationfor your VA disability claim. This includes things like requests fordifferent boots to be issued, requests for insoles or inserts. This can strain the tissues on the bottom of the feet and worsen plantar fasciitis. 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 Department of Veterans Affairs changed its schedule of ratings for plantar fasciitis effective February 7, 2021. Medical records for aggravated or secondary conditions must prove that the new injury is not temporary. The most trusted name in education-based resources for Veterans. 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. According to statistics, roughly18 million adultsin the US have flat feet and approximately2 millionsuffer from plantar fasciitis. On this form, veterans will want to ensure that they are filing for plantar fasciitis as secondary to pes planus. By continuing to use our website, you agree to these updates. If so, the rating you receive for this will impact your existing rating. Confidential or time-sensitive information should not be sent through this form. They are not intended as a guarantee that we will obtain the same or similar results in every case we undertake. If a veteran has bilateral pes planus, then the condition affects both feet. The exact amount of compensation that you will receive for your foot pain depends on a number of factors. yet assertive representation for our clients. Feel free to call us at (866) 232-5777 anytime. 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. 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. 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. The VA will outline the steps involved with appealing a C & P exam in its initial communication. Flat feet are considered a type of foot deformity (that can be exacerbated or triggered by strain). Plantar fasciitis can make walking and other physical activities significantly more difficult. This communication with the firm or any member of the firm does not establish an attorney-client relationship. A 22-year-old man presented in an orthopedic clinic complaining of pain in the left plantar heel for the past month. These cookies are essential so that you can move around the website and use its features. 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. Its also important to document whether youve tried heel cups, inserts, or night splints, and if those devices help or not. If yes, indicate the side(s) affected and if pain is accentuated on use. Once such arthritis has been documented, even if in the past, no further imaging studies are required by VA, even if arthritis has worsened. 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). The diagnosis of degenerative arthritis (osteoarthritis) or post-traumatic arthritis must be confirmed by imaging studies. 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. How to File a Claim on VA.gov (step-by-step)! The maximum scheduler rating for severe bilateral pes planus (flat feet) is 50 percent. 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. Pes planus is normally rated with a diagnostic Code 5276 and on the other hand Plantar Fasciitis is rated under the diagnostic Code 5284. This will receive aVAdisability rating for foot pain of 10%. If you feel that you received an inaccurate or unfair rating, be aware that you can appeal this by requesting aVA higher-level review. For example, maybe your bilateral heel pain is so severe, that you have difficulty walking and require help during periods of flareups. In this post, we will be exploring how to increase your VA Rating for Plantar Fasciitis. The VA determines a pes planus rating depending on the severity of the injury. Cleveland, OH: 600 Superior Ave. East, Fifth Third Building, Suite 1300, Cleveland, OH, 44114 Both flat feet and plantar fasciitisare often caused by genetic conditions. A showing of causation requires that the secondary disability be shown to be proximately due to or proximately aggravated by another service-connected disability. Having flat feet is also a risk factor for developing plantar fasciitis. To find out more, view our Privacy Policy. 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. 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. As servicemembers often have to run for long distances during training, sometimes wearing boots, this can cause them to develop pes planus, and in turn, plantar fasciitis. These cookies dont collect information that identifies you. 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. Although poorly understood, the development of plantar fasciitis is thought to have a mechanical origin. 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. If yes, describe the functional impact of each condition, providing one or more examples. 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? Common examples include gout, rheumatoid arthritis, cysts, and bursitis. Common examples include losing weight, wearing orthopedic shoes, wearing shoe inserts, or buying shoes with arch support. 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? The same question with the new rating criteria for plantar fasciitis; when it affects both feet and not responsive to treatment, they give you 30%. 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). 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. Evidence of a service-connected primary disability (such as Knee Strain, Lumbar Strain or Back Pain, Hip Condition). For instance, which pages you go to most. 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. 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). 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, Rheumatoid arthritis, or more commonly known as RA, is an autoimmune disease in which the bodys immune system mistakenly attacks the joints. 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. 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. Because the symptoms associated with flat feet and plantar fasciitis are so similar, its highly unlikely to get separate VA ratings for flat feet and plantar fasciitis due to theavoidance of pyramiding. Pes Planus, Aka flatfoot or flat feet is common among army veterans, air force service members, marines, and navy vets. The reason it is a risk is that the arch of ones foot directly acts to protect the tissue of the plantar fascia. Heres the brutal truth about VA disability claims: CFR 38, Part 3, 3.306 Aggravation of Preservice Disability. What is the Pain Motion Principle for Flat Feet? 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 qualifying criteria are as follows: The VA deems pes planus to be severe when there is clear evidence of a deformity in the foot. This percent rating can apply to one or both feet. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. By continuing to use our website, you agree to these updates. Yes. Do You Need Help Getting VA Disability 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. When you visit web sites, they may store or retrieve data in your web browser. Historically these conditions have been rated under the same code in the 38CFR (code of federal regulations), which is the schedule for rating disabilities. Plantar Fasciitis VA Disability Ratings Sciatica is a nerve condition in which pain radiates along the path of the sciatic nerve, traveling from the lower back down through the legs. Does the Veteran have marked inward displacement and severe spasm of the Achilles tendon (rigid hindfoot) on manipulation of one or both feet? 16. The podiatrist will take X-rays and recommend the least invasive method possible for treating plantar fasciitis. We guide our clients through the most difficult times in their lives with courtesy, respect, and professionalism. The photo below is an example of yellow calluses and cracking of the heel. According to the National Institute of Health, this is because pes planus can cause an increased strain at the origin of the plantar fascia. 4. Youll want to explain to the C&P examiner HOW your severe heel pain is limiting or affecting your work, life, and social functioning. 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. 3. Thousands of other Veterans in our Community are here for you. Plantar fasciitis is when that tissue becomes inflamed and tender. Copyright 2023 Hill & Ponton, P.A.. All Rights Reserved. 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. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. 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. 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