bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis va rating
Camp Lejeune Lawsuit. Maybe you enjoy running and working out, but youve had to stop or significantly alter your routines because of your plantar fasciitis. TDIU for Plantar Fasciitis TDIU stands for total disability individual unemployability. 9. 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. Heres the brutal truth about VA disability claims: We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. 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. Do You Have Long-Term Disability Insurance Coverage? Call today for a free case evaluation. This information is not a substitute for legal advice. Keep in mind flat feet can also develop after an injury or from everyday wear-and-tear such as military service. There are 3 primary ways a veteran can get a flat feet VA rating: The VA rates flat feet using Title 38 CFR, Part 4, Schedule for Rating Disabilities, Diagnostic Code (DC) 5276, Flatfoot, Acquired. Does the Veteran have decreased longitudinal arch height of one or both feet on weight-bearing? A veterans final VA disability rating for plantar fasciitis depends upon the frequency, severity, and duration of symptoms. 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. 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. However, certain activities that place strain on the feet can trigger or cause the symptoms. Plantar fasciitis is a painful foot condition caused by inflammation deep within the fascia of the sole of the foot. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Repetitive stretching and tearing of the plantar facia can result in pain and inflammation. 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). A 10 percent rating applies for cases of plantar fasciitis classified as otherwise. 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. These cookies are essential so that you can move around the website and use its features. Copyright 2023 Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick LTD. All Rights Reserved. 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. Foot and ankle injuries can also cause flat feet. If you're service-connected for both pes planus and plantar fasciitis, the VA will only count the condition with the highest rating when calculating your overall rating. VA rates veterans with flatfoot under38 C.F.R 4.71a, diagnostic code 5276. 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. If during your examination the VA doctor findscertain qualifying criteria, youmay be assigned a VA disability rating of 10%. If you have foot pain from flat feet, this might be because you developed plantar fasciitis. Why Hire CCK for Your VA Disability Appeal? Description and proof of an in-service event that caused the foot pain or foot injury leading to 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. 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. Are you having trouble getting VAdisability for flat feet and plantar fasciitis? 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. Having flat feet is also a risk factor for developing plantar fasciitis. If you have been denied disability, orhave received a wrongful ratingwe can help. For example, it may be that your condition is asecondary service-connected disability. 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 body is highly interconnected. 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. A showing of causation requires that the secondary disability be shown to be proximately due to or proximately aggravated by another service-connected disability. According to the National Institute of Health, this is because pes planus can cause an increased strain at the origin of the plantar fascia. Since 2016, VA Claims Insider has helped thousands of Veterans just like you get the VA rating and compensation they deserve in less time. 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. 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. Plain or weight-bearing foot x-rays are not required to make the diagnosis of flatfoot. 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). Does the Veteran have pain on use of the feet? How to Get a 100 Percent VA Rating (if deserved)! 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. Is the condition improved by orthopedic shoes or appliances? yet assertive representation for our clients. Youll want to explain to the C&P examiner HOW your severe heel pain is limiting or affecting your work, life, and social functioning. By using our website, you agree to the use of certain cookies. These cookies may be set through our website by our advertising partners. Have imaging studies been performed in conjunction with this examination? 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. Plantar fasciitis, on the other hand, is a foot injury. If you have bilateral plantar fasciitis, you could be eligible to receive aVAdisability rating for foot pain of 50%. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. 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. 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. 20:55 What kind of Plantar Fasciitis treatments are available for you to do on your own? Learn more about us, Veterans Disability Claim 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. 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. If you have yet to claim VAdisability for flat feet and plantar fasciitis, you should do so without delay. Plantar fasciitis can make walking and other physical activities significantly more difficult. Cincinnati, OH: 300 E Business Way, Suite 200, Summit Woods Corporate Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45241 However, if the veteran has actual loss of use of the foot, the rating is 40%. 6. During a C & P exam for plantar fasciitis, a doctor may take X-rays and likely physically examine each foot. That can affect the knee, the hips, the back, and the neck. 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. The information these cookies collect will not personally identify you, and they cannot track your browsing activity on other websites. This includes things like requests fordifferent boots to be issued, requests for insoles or inserts. How are Pes Planus and Plantar Fasciitis Connected? 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. Plantar fasciitis sufferers commonly report that pain in the bottom of their heel is most severe in the morning and then subsides as the day progresses. Pes planus is a condition that often affects both feet. 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. 21:30 Request a referral from your primary care or VA doctor to see a Podiatrist. Plantar Fasciitis and Secondary VA Claims, Top 3 Ways to Get a VA Rating for Flat Feet (The Insiders Guide). 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. We are sorry that this post was not as useful for you! TheMayo Clinicreports the following risk factors associated with the development of plantar fasciitis: Sometimes doctors misdiagnose plantar heel pain or generalized foot pain as plantar fasciitis when the condition is something entirely different. Cookies help us deliver the best experience on our website. As with flat feet, the VA rates plantar fasciitis on a scale of mild to pronounced and awards disabilities ratings from 0% to 50%. Both of these conditions can be debilitating and cause pain in other areas such as the knees, back, and legs. This percent rating can apply to one or both feet. For a limited time, you can book a free, no-obligation VA Claim Discovery Call with one of our experts. There are generally two ways that a veteran can qualify for TDIU: Forschedular TDIU, veterans must meet the criteria listed under38 CFR 4.16a. Veterans can learn more about how to qualify for TDIU benefits here. Both flat feet and plantar fasciitisare often caused by genetic conditions. 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. 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. These cookies are essential so that you can move around the website and use its features. 10. 38 C.F.R. How Does VA Rate Bilateral Pes Planus with Plantar Fasciitis? 3. we represent clients nationwide. Is there any other functional loss during flare-ups and/or after repeated use over time? For example, perhaps you entered the military with flat feet but never had plantar fasciitis. 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. All Rights Reserved. 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). After reviewing the medical records, the next step is to file a VA disability benefits appeal. THEN 30 and THEN 50%. 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. The plantar fascia acts as a shock absorber and supports the arch of the foot. Its also important to document whether youve tried heel cups, inserts, or night splints, and if those devices help or not. What is the Pain Motion Principle for Flat Feet? Its your choice now that you know the truth and the truth will set you free. 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. A C&P exam for plantar fasciitis usually involves a physical examination and history of your foot condition and severity of symptoms over time. They may also be used to keep track of what [products, video, links, etc.] 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. 15. 4.71a, DC 5276. 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.. Since that time, we have provided compassionate 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. Brian Reese here, Air Force service-disabled Veteran and Founder @ VA Claims Insider. As regards to the joints, factors of disability reside in reductions of their normal excursion of movements in different planes. They do not store directly personal information, but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. Is there indication of swelling on use? 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. This website adheres to the W3Cs AA Accessibility guidelines. The #1 best way to increase your VA rating for pes planus is to have objective medical evidence that shows how your symptoms have worsened over time. We guide our clients through the most difficult times in their lives with courtesy, respect, and professionalism. 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. Doctors and patients sometimes refer to plantar fasciitis as runners heel, painful sole syndrome, or neuritis. 24. Another thing to know about pes planus is that it can be either unilateral or bilateral. Both of these conditions can cause severe pain and disability. 4. Veterans who qualify for TDIU must demonstrate they are unable to maintain gainful employment due to a 100 percent combined disability rating. 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. Service Connection for Bilateral Pes Planus with Plantar Fasciitis, Filing a Claim for Secondary Service Connection for Bilateral Pes Planus with Plantar Fasciitis. 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. If you do not allow these cookies, you will experience less targeted advertising. 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. 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. This information is not a substitute for legal advice. The Department of Veterans Affairs changed its schedule of ratings for plantar fasciitis effective February 7, 2021. This information is made available for educational purposes only and to provide general information and a general understanding of the law. Veterans should be prepared to discuss specific ways that heel pain impacts their life, such as the inability to walk long distances. If youre stuck, frustrated, underrated, and currently rated between 0%-90%, VA Claims Insider Elite is for you! The reason it is a risk is that the arch of ones foot directly acts to protect the tissue of the plantar fascia. However, if the veteran has actual loss of use of the foot, the rating is 40%. We advocate for the disabled. This data may be used to help optimize our websites and make them easier for you to navigate. Okay, lets jump into how to get your pes planus rated for VA disability purposes. Does the Veteran have marked inward displacement and severe spasm of the Achilles tendon (rigid hindfoot) on manipulation of one or both feet? 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. The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis is rated at a 30 percent disability rating prior to December 28, 2012, and at a 50 percent disability rating thereafter. The 20 percent rating for flat feet is appropriate for unilateral pes planus with objective evidence of marked deformity (pronation, abduction, etc. bilateral foot disorder as secondary to a service-connected left knee disability. To qualify a veteran must experience marked pronation (inward rolling of the foot). 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. By continuing to use our website, you agree to these updates. Do You Qualify for Long Term Disability Benefits? 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. Without these cookies, services you have asked for cannot be provided. Disclaimer: This information is not legal advice. 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. They may also be used to keep track of what [products, video, links, etc.] Total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU)is a monthly benefit that compensates veterans at the 100 percent rate, regardless of their actual combined rating, if their condition(s) prevents them from working. 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. Plantar Fasciitis and Flat Foot VA Ratings. 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? We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. According to statistics, roughly18 million adultsin the US have flat feet and approximately2 millionsuffer from plantar fasciitis. By continuing to use our website, you agree to these updates. 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? 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. 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. If you have unilateral pes planus (affecting one foot), youcan receive aVA disability rating for foot pain of 20%. If you fall into this category you will get aVA disability rating of 0%. A nexus linking the veterans pes planus to the veterans in-service event or stressor. These cookies allow the website to remember choices you make to give you better functionality and personal features. you viewed to avoid repetition. 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. As a fellow disabled Veteran this is shameful and Im on a mission to change it. The VA ratesflat feetas perthe 38 CFR 4.71a, Schedule of Ratings, Musculoskeletal System,with the diagnostic code 5276. Repeated stretching and tearing can irritate or inflame the fascia, causing severe heel pain.. 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. The same if you have bilateral plantar fasciitis. Sometimes the C&P examiner will order X-Rays of one or both feet to check for foot deformities such as calcified heel spurs. 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. The VA will outline the steps involved with appealing a C & P exam in its initial communication. After is it finished, it isimportant that yourequesta copy of the C&P examination. Do you think you might have Plantar Fasciitis? The body needs uric acid to break down purines that are found in certain foods,. Does the Veteran have Functional Impact to their work, life, and social functioning? If pronounced pes planus is present in both feet (and supports do not help), veterans can receive the VA disability rating of 50%. 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. By using our website, you agree to the use of certain cookies. Veterans can be rated between0 percentand50 percenton a scale of mild (least severe) to pronounced (most severe). If youre interested in the disability ratings for shin splints, go here! 203, San Jose, CA 95134 For a limited time, you can book a free, no-obligation VA Claim Discovery Call with one of our experts. Many veterans suffer from various foot conditions due to their military service, including severe heel pain, aka, plantar fasciitis.
