How to Increase Your VA Score for Plantar Fasciitis: The Expert Guide (5 *NEW* Tips for 2022) (2023)

In this post, we are going to explore how you can increase your AV score for plantar fasciitis.

As of February 7, 2021, plantar fasciitis has its ownDiagnostic Code (DC) 5269with grades ranging from 10% to 30% with a 20% break.

The highest possible planned VA disability rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis is now 30% (not 50%), which includes symptoms such as lack of relief from non-surgical (shoes or braces) and surgical treatment.

However, if the veteran actually loses the use of the foot, the score is 40%.

A veteran's final VA disability rating for plantar fasciitis depends on the frequency, severity, and duration of symptoms. That is, the more severe the symptoms of it, the higher the VA score for plantar fasciitis.

There is also a bilateral factor, which means that veterans can get a higher VA rating for plantar fasciitis if they have the disability in both feet.

Okay, veterans, let's take a minute to examine the law as it relates to the symptoms and deficiencies required to warrant a VA disability evaluation for plantar fasciitis.

Many veterans suffer from various foot conditions as a result of their military service, including severe heel pain, also known as plantar fasciitis.

At VA Claims Insider, we encourage veterans to have X-rays of both feet done by the VA or a private doctor to confirm or rule out the presence of heel spurs, which can contribute to the pain associated with plantar fasciitis.

Both unilateral and bilateral plantar fasciitis are common secondary VA disability claims, particularly plantar fasciitis secondary to disorders of the lower extremities, such as knees, joints, hips, and back.

Plantar Fasciitis in Veterans

Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain in veterans.

This is an inflammation of the thick band of tissue that runs across the bottom of the foot and connects the heel bone to the toes (called the "plantar fascia").

Do you think you might have plantar fasciitis?

Here's a quick litmus test: If it feels like a knife is being plunged into the bottom of your heel, especially when you get out of bed in the morning or right after working out, you may have plantar fasciitis.

According to themayo clinic, “Your plantar fascia is shaped like a bowstring that supports your bow and absorbs shock as you walk. If the stress and strain on this tendon becomes too great, small tears in the fascia can develop. Repeated stretching and tearing can irritate or inflame the fascia and cause severe heel pain.”

Common risk factors are:

• To alter
• Long distance running (for example, military PT)
• poor arch and heel support (for example, military combat boots)
• Obesity,
• Professions that require a lot of stamina (active military service, possibly combat missions)

VA Evaluation for Plantar Fasciitis: Common Veteran Symptoms

Many veterans have or develop plantar fasciitis, and common signs and symptoms include:

• Heel pain (especially after standing, walking, or running)

• painful movement

• sensitivity

• swelling

You can get some relief by freezing yourself, taking pain relievers, wearing a splint, shoe inserts, night splints, and in extreme cases, cortisone injections directly into the affected area.

SEE: VA Disability Claims for Plantar Fasciitis (NEW Tips!)

⏩12:45How are VA disability claims for plantar fasciitis evaluated?

⏩13:13VA Reviews on Plantar Fasciitis in 2022

⏩15:15Signs and symptoms to watch out for in the feet

⏩16:45Plantar fasciitis can be incredibly painful, don't minimize your symptoms

⏩19:00These are the most common risk factors for plantar fasciitis

⏩20:55What types of plantar fasciitis treatments are available for you to do yourself?

⏩21:30Request a referral from your primary care physician or VA doctor to see a podiatrist.

⏩24:00It is important to note that your foot pain can fluctuate over time.

Is plantar fasciitis a VA disability?

Yes, plantar fasciitis is a VA disability and can be graded 10, 20, or 30% depending on whether it is unilateral (one foot) versus bilateral (both feet) and the severity of your symptoms.

If the foot is not actually used, a grade of 40% is given.

If a Veteran has been recommended for surgery but is not a candidate for surgery, please rate them based on the 20% or 30% criteria, as appropriate.

As of February 7, 2021,Plantar fasciitis is underrated38 CFR Part 4, VA Scoring Scheme, Diagnosis Code 5269, Plantar Fasciitis.

An important requirement for evaluating VA disability is whether your foot condition is congenital or acquired.

"innate"means a disease or physical abnormality present from birth, while"Acquired"means a disease or physical abnormality that developed after birth.

You are a congenital plant fasciitisNOeligible for compensation or annuity unless claiming "worsening of prior service condition."

For example, maybe you went into the military with flat feet but never had plantar fasciitis.

If your military service makes your flat feet worse (makes it worse) and leads to plantar fasciitis (severe heel pain), you can still be evaluated and compensated under the law.

Respectively38 CFR Part 3 §3.306 Aggravation of disability, "A pre-existing injury or illness is considered to be aggravated by active military, naval, or air service if an increase in disability occurs during such service, unless there is a specific finding that the increase in disability is due to to the most natural course of the disease”.

NEW VA Score for Plantar Fasciitis criteria from 0% to 30%

Based on diagnosis code 5296, the VA disability scores for plantar fasciitis (unilateral and bilateral) are as follows:

• 30%: No relief from surgical and non-surgical treatment, bilateral

• 20%: Not palliated by surgical and non-surgical treatment, unilateral

• 10%: Otherwise, single-sided or double-sided

Note (1): In case of actual loss of foot use, set 40%

Note (2): If a Veteran has been recommended for surgery, but is not a candidate for surgery, please score based on the 20% or 30% criteria, as appropriate.

VA Scoring Chart for Plantar Fasciitis

Secondary service connection for plantar fasciitis

Veterans who receive a diagnosis of plantar fasciitis and leave the military may still be eligible if medical evidence shows that the heel pain is a direct result of or aggravated by another service-connected disability, such as a disability. B. knee strain, hip disease and/or back disease.

The connection of the service on a secondary basis requires “proof of causality”.

Evidence of causation requires showing that the secondary disability is “directly due to” or “immediately aggravated by” another service-connected disability.

According to the law, there are three test items that must be met for secondary conditions of plantar fasciitis:

• A medical diagnosis of plantar fasciitis (heel pain) from VA medical records or private records (unless you already have a diagnosis in your on-call medical records),Y

• Proof of a primary service-connected disability (for example, knee, lower back, or back pain, hip disease),Y

• A medical nexus that provides evidence that the medical condition for which the veteran is claiming VA disability benefits was caused (or worsened) by his or her military service.

The first party may be satisfied with any existing medical evidence in service medical records, VA medical records, or private medical records.

The second party may be satisfied with a veteran's existing service-connected disability who is rated 0 percent or higher.

The third party can be satisfied with a credibleMedical Nexus Letter from a qualified physician.

For example, here is a 2008 BVA case decision in which a veteran was entitled to a service connection for aBilateral foot disease resulting from a service-connected disability in the left knee.

How to Prepare for Your Plantar Fasciitis C&P Exam

A C&P exam for plantar fasciitis typically includes a physical exam and a history of your foot condition and the severity of symptoms over time.

The C&P examiner may order X-rays of your feet to determine if there is any objective medical evidence, such as calcified heel spurs.

You're going to want to explain it to the C&P auditorASYour severe heel pain is affecting or interfering with your work, life, and social functioning.

For example, maybe your bilateral heel pain is so severe that you have trouble walking and need help at times of flare-ups.

Maybe you like to run and exercise, but have had to stop or significantly change your routines because of your plantar fasciitis.

It is also important to document whether you have tried heel cups, insoles, or night splints and whether or not these devices help.

About the Author

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Brian Reese

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Brian Rees is an expert in VA services and Amazon's #1 bestselling authorYou Deserve It: The Ultimate Guide to Getting the Veterans Benefits You Deserveand founder of VA Claims Insider–"The most trusted name in educational resources for veterans."

His frustration with8-Step VA Disability Claim Processled him to create„VA Claims Insider Information“,providing US military veterans with tips, strategies, and lessons for successfully filing or refiling a VA disability compensation claim.

brian isalso the managerVondisability made easy, the world's largest free searchable database for all things DoD and VA disability claims, serving more than 4.6 million military and veterans since its inception in 2013.

His e-book, the"9 Secret Strategies to Win Your VA Disability Claim"It has been downloaded more than 300,000 times in the last three years and is the #1 free guide to VA disability claims for veterans.

He is aformer active duty Air Force officerwith extensive experience leading hundreds of individuals and cross-functional teams in challenging international environments, including a 2011 combat tour to Afghanistan in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.

(Video) 5 Tips to Increase Your VA Rating for Migraines (with Q&A!)

Brian is a Distinguished Graduate in Management derUnited States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, CO, and has an MBA from Oklahoma State University Spears School of Business, Stillwater, OK, where he was a National Honor Scholar (Top 1% of Graduate School class).