Plantar Fasciitis Va Rating & Disability | Free Case Review | VetLaw
Acute injuries and the physically demanding nature of military service can lead veterans to develop plantar fasciitis, potentially making them eligible for VA disability benefits.
Summary
- Veterans with service-connected plantar fasciitis can claim VA disability benefits, as the condition affects mobility and quality of life.
- Plantar fasciitis results from strain on the plantar fascia, causing heel and foot pain. Risk factors include age, weight, and occupations involving prolonged standing or physical activity, such as military service.
- Veterans can receive a VA disability rating from 10% to 40% for plantar fasciitis, depending on the severity of the condition and its responsiveness to treatment.
- To secure benefits for plantar fasciitis, vets need to submit VA Form 21-526 along with a diagnosis, service-related injury evidence, and proof of a medical connection.
- Veterans can appeal denied claims through supplemental claims, higher-level reviews, or Board of Veterans’ Appeals with the help of experienced attorneys like those at VetLaw.
The demands of active duty service can place excessive strain on the ligaments that support the foot, causing conditions like plantar fasciitis. Disabilities that impact a veteran’s mobility often entail quality of life costs, as well as financial ones.
Veterans with plantar fasciitis VA ratings can claim disability benefits to balance out the effects of their service-related condition, and VetLaw can help. We lend our legal expertise to veterans looking to demonstrate eligibility for VA disability benefits or a higher rate of compensation.
You can trust that your VA plantar fasciitis claim is in capable hands with the veterans disability appeals attorneys of VetLaw. Reach out to us at (855) 239-9213 to schedule a free consultation or by submitting an online contact form.
Understanding VA Rating for Plantar Fasciitis: How to Secure Your Benefits
If you suffer from a foot condition like plantar fasciitis, you understand how difficult it can be to work, perform everyday tasks, and move around your community. Plantar fasciitis can cause extreme pain and greatly impact the quality of your life.
For this reason, VA disability plantar fasciitis benefits are available to veterans who struggle with this debilitating foot condition. VetLaw was established by a veteran of the United States Marine Corps with the sole purpose of guiding and supporting other veterans through the VA process.
We have spent years advocating for veterans. Our team works with individuals and their families to file a claim for VA disability benefits, increase their plantar fasciitis VA rating, and successfully appeal claims that were unfairly denied. To learn more about how we can help, consider contacting our team today.
What Are the Symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is a foot condition that develops when the plantar fascia, a band of tissues that connects your heel to your toe, becomes inflamed. This degenerative condition often causes sharp, stabbing pain in the heel, arch, and/or bottom of the foot.
In fact, plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain. More than 2 million people in the United States are treated for the condition every year. The nature and severity of plantar fasciitis symptoms vary from person to person.
Some of the most common symptoms of this foot condition include:
- Heel pain
- Pain in the arch of the foot
- Stiffness and swelling of the heel
- Tight Achilles tendon
Many people who suffer from plantar fasciitis report that symptoms are worse in the morning or when standing up after sitting or sleeping. The pain can range from a dull ache to a sharp stabbing sensation and usually diminishes after walking. Some individuals state that pain is more intense when walking with bare feet or in shoes with little support.
Factors That Can Cause Veterans to Develop Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis develops when the plantar fascia is strained, causing the ligament to become weak, swollen, and inflamed. Repetitive stretching or tearing of the plantar fascia can irritate this ligament, resulting in plantar fasciitis.
Running, prolonged standing at work, exercising on a hard surface, and wearing shoes that do not provide adequate support are all potential causes of this painful foot condition.
While anyone can develop this physical condition, some risk factors may make someone more likely to struggle with plantar fasciitis:
- Age: individuals between the ages of 40 and 60 are more likely to develop plantar fasciitis.
- Foot structure and mechanics: those who have pes planus (flat feet) or who work with an atypical gait are at a higher risk for developing plantar fasciitis.
- Weight: obesity plays a major role in the development of plantar fasciitis, as it adds stress to the ligament.
- Activities and occupation: individuals who spend hours walking or on their feet for work may be more likely to suffer from plantar fasciitis. The same is true of people who engage in strenuous physical activity or exercise, as is expected of veterans who served in the armed forces.
How Does Military Service Impact Plantar Fasciitis?
Military service undoubtedly impacts a person’s likelihood of developing plantar fasciitis. Those in the military are often required to spend hours on their feet in challenging terrain, carrying heavy loads, and taking part in strenuous physical activity.
This can commonly lead to foot conditions like plantar fasciitis. For this reason, VA disability plantar fasciitis benefits have been established to compensate veterans for the stress and costs associated with this condition.
Is Plantar Fasciitis a Disability Covered by the VA?
Yes, plantar fasciitis is considered a disability covered by the VA. To file a claim for this condition, a veteran must first complete and file VA Form 21-526, which is the form used to initially apply for disability compensation and other related benefits.
With this form, the vet must also include a diagnosis of plantar fasciitis in addition to evidence of an in-service event, illness, or injury that contributed to the development of their condition. Finally, vets are also required to prove that there is a medical nexus, or connection, between their diagnosis and the in-service event, illness, or injury.
VA Benefits for Plantar Fasciitis Secondary to Other Service-Related Disabilities
In some situations, it is more appropriate to claim plantar fasciitis as a secondary condition. Many times, plantar fasciitis develops as a result of an underlying disability, such as pes planus.
Due to the fact that the pes planus adds stress to the heel and arch of the foot, the diagnosis of plantar fasciitis can likely be directly linked to that primary condition. In certain cases, this strategy may also help increase a veteran’s plantar fasciitis VA rating.
What Is the VA Rating for Plantar Fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is rated under Diagnostic Code 5285 of 38 CFR § 4.71a. Veterans will receive a higher plantar fasciitis VA rating if their symptoms are more severe, or if their condition affects both feet. The ratings are assigned based on the following criteria:
- Plantar fasciitis in one or both feet that is responsive to treatment will receive a rating of 10%.
- If the plantar fasciitis affects one foot but is not responsive to treatment, the condition will be rated 20%.
- Plantar fasciitis that impacts both feet and is not responsive to treatment will be rated 30% based on this schedule of ratings.
- If a veteran loses the use of a foot due to plantar fasciitis, they will be granted a 40% rating.
How to Secure Plantar Fasciitis VA Disability Compensation
Securing plantar fasciitis VA disability compensation can be a complicated process, but understanding the steps can help you succeed. The VA recognizes plantar fasciitis as a condition that can be compensated if you can show it is related to your service. Start by completing and filing VA Form 21-526.
Be sure to include a diagnosis of plantar fasciitis and evidence of an event, illness, or injury during your service that caused it. It’s important to show a clear connection between your military service and your condition. Sometimes, vets can claim plantar fasciitis as a secondary condition if it is caused by another disability, like flat feet.
If your claim is denied, don’t give up. You can appeal by filing a Supplemental Claim or asking for a Higher-Level Review. Additionally, you can appeal your case to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals. Getting help from experts, like the team at VetLaw, can greatly improve your chances of getting the benefits you deserve.
How to Handle a VA Claim Denial for Plantar Fasciitis
If the VA denies your claim for plantar fasciitis, it is important to move forward with your case strategically. The VA has established three avenues for appealing a denied claim, which include:
- File a Supplemental Claim to include new and relevant evidence that is necessary to prove your case.
- Request a Higher-Level Review to determine whether an error or difference of option changes the outcome of your case
- Appeal with the Board of Veterans’ Appeals to submit additional evidence or request a direct review. Or, schedule a hearing with a Veterans Law Judge.
The appeal option you use will depend on your unique situation and the reason why your initial claim was denied. If the VA claims that you did not provide sufficient evidence establishing a medical nexus, for instance, a supplemental claim may be the right option for you.
Alternatively, if the denial resulted from human error during the application process, you may opt for a Higher-Level Review. Your attorney will review your case to determine the right course of action to ensure that your appeal is successful.
How VetLaw Can Help You Appeal Your VA Claim Denial for Plantar Fasciitis
If you were denied VA disability plantar fasciitis benefits, you may be feeling frustrated and unsure of how to proceed. At VetLaw, we advocate for the rights of veterans and provide comprehensive guidance through all stages of the appeal process.
As experienced attorneys, we are confident in our ability to win your VA appeal and secure the benefits you deserve. We have helped individuals increase their plantar fasciitis VA rating and navigate the appeals process. You can rely on our team to help you obtain full compensation for your disability.
To begin your free case review, consider connecting with VetLaw today. You can reach us at (855) 239-9213 to schedule a free consultation or by submitting an online contact form.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can plantar fasciitis go away?
With the appropriate medical treatment, plantar fasciitis can resolve within a few months in many cases. However, this may mean that the VA reduces your rating, and therefore your benefits.
If your plantar fasciitis returns and your symptoms match a higher percentage on the rating schedule, you would likely need to appeal to increase your VA disability rating.
Are veterans of certain branches more likely to develop plantar fasciitis than others?
Although this subject has not been studied extensively, researchers from the William Beaumont Army Medical Center did find a difference in plantar fasciitis rates among branches.
According to their data analysis, plantar fasciitis was more common in Army and Marine personnel, as compared to other branches. The higher rates of plantar fasciitis may be attributable to the greater emphasis on drilling in these two branches, among other factors.
Does plantar fasciitis cause secondary conditions in veterans?
Plantar fasciitis can be a secondary condition itself, but it can also cause medical complications for veterans. For example, veterans may develop knee pain or back issues related to their plantar fasciitis if they consistently put extra pressure on their unaffected foot to avoid aggravating their plantar fasciitis.
How can I increase my plantar fasciitis VA rating from 0%?
If the VA has assigned a 0% disability rating to your plantar fasciitis, that means the VA doesn’t believe that your condition is serious enough to qualify for compensation at the time of the assessment. The good news is that if you have a disability rating, your service connection is not in question.
Therefore, you can simply focus on proving your plantar fasciitis symptoms align with the 10% rating criteria, at minimum. You can submit new medical evidence, such as an MRI of your heel, a statement from your boss describing your limited mobility at work, or other documentation verifying the severity of your plantar fasciitis symptoms.
