VA Disability Rating for Pes Planus and Plantar Fasciitis

Q: What's the difference between pes planus and plantar fasciitis for VA ratings?

While both conditions affect your feet, VA rates them differently. Pes planus (flat feet) is rated based on how severely your arches have fallen and problems like pain with use, swelling, and whether orthotics help. Plantar fasciitis is rated based on heel pain, especially with walking or standing, and how well it responds to treatment. You might qualify for ratings for both conditions if you have different symptoms for each.

Q: How does VA rate bilateral (both feet) versus one foot?

If you have foot problems in both feet, you'll usually get a higher rating than if only one foot is affected. For example, bilateral flat feet can be rated up to 50%, while a single foot condition might max out at 30%. Always make sure VA knows if both feet are affected.

Q: What if my flat feet or plantar fasciitis causes other problems?

If your foot condition causes other issues - like knee, hip, or back problems from walking differently - you might qualify for additional ratings for these secondary conditions. The key is having medical evidence showing your foot condition caused these other problems. Keep records of any new issues that develop because of how your foot problems affect your walking or standing.

Q: Should I get special testing for my VA foot claim?

Weight-bearing X-rays can be especially important for foot claims. These show how your feet look when you're standing, which can be very different from regular X-rays. VA should consider both weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing tests when rating your condition. If you haven't had weight-bearing X-rays, ask your doctor if they would help document your condition.

Table of Contents

Every step can be agonizing when you’re dealing with foot problems. Whether you have flat feet (pes planus) that make standing painful or plantar fasciitis that shoots daggers through your heels, these conditions can severely impact your daily life. If your military service caused or worsened your foot problems, you deserve proper compensation.

Let’s build a complete understanding of these conditions and how to get the VA benefits you deserve. We’ll start with the basics and work our way up to the more complex aspects of VA ratings.

How VA Views Foot Conditions

Think of your foot like a bridge. In a normal foot, the arch acts like the support beams of that bridge, distributing weight and absorbing shock. When you have pes planus (flat feet), it’s like those support beams have collapsed, forcing other parts of your foot to bear weight they weren’t designed to handle.

Plantar fasciitis develops when the thick band of tissue connecting your heel to your toes (imagine a rubber band under your foot) becomes inflamed and irritated. Often, these conditions work together – flat feet can strain that tissue band, leading to plantar fasciitis.

The Military Connection

Your feet endured incredible stress during service:

Long ruck marches with heavy packs
Running on hard surfaces in boots
Standing for hours on concrete
Training without proper recovery time
Operating on uneven terrain

These activities can break down your foot’s natural support structure, leading to both pes planus and plantar fasciitis.

VA Disability Ratings Explained

Pes Planus (Flat Feet) Ratings

The VA rates flat feet under Diagnostic Code 5276, using these levels:

Pronounced (50% bilateral, 30% one foot):

Severe deformity
Pain not improved by orthotics
Marked inward displacement
Severe spasms during manipulation

Severe (30% bilateral, 20% one foot):

Marked deformity
Pain on manipulation
Swelling during use
Characteristic calluses

Moderate (10% either one or both feet):

Weight-bearing line over big toe
Inward bowing of tendon
Pain with use

Mild (0%):

Symptoms relieved by arch supports

Plantar Fasciitis Ratings

The VA now has specific ratings for plantar fasciitis:

40%: Complete loss of foot use 30%: Both feet affected, not responding to treatment
20%: One foot affected, not responding to treatment
10%: Responsive to treatment in either one or both feet

Getting Multiple Ratings for Your Feet

Here’s something many veterans don’t know: You might qualify for separate ratings for pes planus and plantar fasciitis if they cause distinct problems requiring different treatments. Understanding this distinction is crucial for maximizing your benefits.

For example:

Your flat feet might require special orthotics and cause ankle pain
Your plantar fasciitis might need separate treatments like night splints
Each condition affects different parts of your foot

Building Your Strongest Claim for Pes Planus and Plantar Fasciitis

Getting the right VA rating for foot problems like flat feet (pes planus) and plantar fasciitis requires specific medical evidence. Here’s exactly what you need to document your condition:

Medical Evidence Requirements

For Flat Feet (Pes Planus):

Changes in foot shape or structure
What treatments you’ve tried and how well they worked
Use of special shoes or inserts
Problems with walking or standing
Pain levels throughout the day

For Plantar Fasciitis:

How bad your heel pain is, especially in the morning
Whether treatments help your pain
Signs of heel inflammation or swelling
What activities make your pain worse
Daily limitations due to foot pain

Service Connection Evidence

Show how military service caused or made your foot problems worse:

Medical records from your service time
Records of long marches or running
Combat or field operation records
Physical training requirements in your unit

Impact on Daily Life

Document how your foot conditions affect you:

Problems at work
Trouble with daily activities
Sleep issues from foot pain
Time spent on treatments and doctor visits

Proper documentation makes all the difference in foot claims. Keep detailed records of your symptoms, treatments, and how your foot problems affect your daily life. The better you can show both your medical issues and their impact, the more accurately VA can rate your disability.

Secondary Conditions

When you have service-connected foot problems, they can lead to other health issues because of how they change the way you walk and stand.

Common related conditions include:

Back pain from walking differently
Knee damage or pain
Hip problems and strain
Balance issues and falls
Ankle instability

Make sure VA knows about any of these problems that develop after your foot condition. You might qualify for additional benefits if your medical records show these issues were caused by your service-connected foot problems.

Getting Professional Help for Your VA Disability Claim

Consider seeking legal help if:

Your claim was denied
You received a low rating
You have multiple conditions
Your condition has worsened
You need to appeal

At ProVet Legal, we understand foot conditions and their impact on your life. We know how to present your case to show the full extent of your disability and get you the maximum benefits you deserve.

Don’t let foot pain control your life or let the VA undervalue your disability. Contact ProVet Legal today for a case review. We’ll help you understand your rights and fight for every dollar of compensation you deserve.

COMMON VA DISABILITY CLAIMS

Tinnitus
Hearing Loss
Limitation of Flexion of the Knee
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Lumbosacral or Cervical Strain
Scars, General
Paralysis of the Sciatic Nerve (Sciatica)
Limitation of Range of Motion of the Ankle
Migraines (Headaches)
Limitation of Motion of the Arm

Degenerative Arthritis of the Spine
Sleep Apnea
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Major Depressive Disorder
Asthma
Diabetes Type 2
Cancer
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Pes Planus (Flat Feet)
Radiculopathy

Adjustment Disorder
Somatic Symptom Disorder (Chronic Pain Syndrome)
Gastroesophageal Reflex Disease (GERD)
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Erectile Dysfunction
Plantar Fasciitis
Arthritis
Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD)
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)
Fibromyalgia
Eczema
Allergic Rhinitis (Hay Fever)
Sinusitis
Meniere's Syndrome
Arteriosclerotic Heart Disease (Coronary Artery Disease)
Chronic Conjunctivitis
Limited Motion of the Jaw (Temporomandibular Disorder)
Hiatal Hernia

Hemorrhoids
Varicose Veins
Nephrolithiasis (Kidney Stones)
Hypothyroidism
Anemia
Peripheral Neuropathy
Prostate Gland Injuries
Ischemic Heart Disease
Vertigo
Urinary Incontinence

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Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between pes planus and plantar fasciitis for VA ratings?

How does VA rate bilateral (both feet) versus one foot?

What if my flat feet or plantar fasciitis causes other problems?

Should I get special testing for my VA foot claim?

Many veterans earned disability benefits, we make sure they get them.

I founded ProVet Legal, P.A. to provide top-notch service to veterans and their families seeking disability and survivor benefits from the VA. My mission with ProVet Legal is deeply personal. I am the granddaughter of three veterans, including my maternal grandmother, who served in the Waves before women were able to join the Navy. I met my husband in Afghanistan when I served with the U.S. Department of State to support our military’s efforts with Operation Enduring Freedom.

I understand the physical and mental stresses of training and deployment, as well as the unparalleled sense of purpose and camaraderie that can only be forged in a combat zone. When my husband retired, I got accredited with the VA’s Office of General Counsel to represent Veterans with Service-Connected Disability claims. I began by helping my husband and some of his buddies navigate the VA claims process. I quickly realized that the benefits system is complex and can be confusing, even for an attorney.

Veterans navigating it on their own can get lost in all the paperwork and often walk away from benefits they deserve out of frustration or fear that the VA might take away what they have already won. Since 2019, I have been representing veterans and their families full-time, successfully helping hundreds of veterans win their VA claims. I take pride in helping veterans tell their stories in a way that the VA will understand and appreciate. I look forward to the opportunities to continue to serve those who have risked everything to serve our country.

Rebecca C. Y. Deming
Founder and Principal Attorney

VA Disability Rating for Pes Planus and Plantar Fasciitis