Plantar Fasciitis VA Ratings and Service Connection

If heel pain is limiting your mobility or quality of life, understanding how the VA rates plantar fasciitis is key to securing the benefits you rightfully deserve. 

The VA rates plantar fasciitis based on severity, whether one or both feet are affected, and whether it responds to treatment.  

With strong medical evidence, a current diagnosis, and proof of service connection, you can strengthen your claim and may increase your chances of approval.

Key Takeaways

• The VA rates plantar fasciitis at 10%, 20%, 30%, or 40% under diagnostic code (DC) 5269, depending on whether it responds to treatment and if one or both feet are affected. 

• If you have bilateral plantar fasciitis that doesn’t improve with treatment, you could qualify for a 30% rating (or 40% if you’ve lost use of your foot). 

• Plantar fasciitis often shows up because of other service-connected conditions like knee, hip, or back pain. If so, it can be rated as secondary. 

What is Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis occurs when the plantar fascia (a thick band of tissue running along the bottom of the foot from heel to toes) becomes inflamed or irritated. According to the Mayo Clinic, tension and stress on the fascia can cause small tears. 

Plantar fasciitis typically causes sharp heel pain, most noticeable with your first steps in the morning or after long periods of rest.

Plantar Fasciitis in Veterans

Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain among service members and veterans, often resulting from: 

• Repetitive marching or running 

• Long hours on hard surfaces 

• Wearing heavy, rigid boots 

• Foot injuries during training or deployment 

Pain often flares up after standing, marching, or running and may be accompanied by stiffness, swelling, or tenderness around the heel.

If left untreated, plantar fasciitis can become chronic, affecting your mobility, job performance, and overall quality of life.

How the VA Rates Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis VA ratings are 10%, 20%, or 30% under the schedule of ratings for the musculoskeletal system (DC 5269).  

In addition, the VA assigns a 40% VA rating to eligible veterans who experienced the loss of the use of their foot due to plantar fasciitis. 

• 40% VA Rating: No relief from both non-surgical and surgical treatment, and the condition is so severe that it results in the loss of use of the foot. 

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

• 20% VA Rating: No relief from both non-surgical and surgical treatment, unilateral 

• 10% VA Rating: Otherwise, unilateral or bilateral 

Your VA disability rating for plantar fasciitis will depend on whether the condition responds to treatment and whether it affects one or both feet. 

Note: If surgery was suggested but you’re not a surgical candidate, the VA will rate you at either 20% or 30%, depending on your condition. 

Bilateral Plantar Fasciitis VA Rating

If plantar fasciitis affects both feet, the VA may give you a bilateral rating that accounts for the impact on both sides.  

This can increase your overall disability rating since the condition affects your ability to walk and stand more than if only one foot is involved.  

The maximum schedular rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis is typically 30%, but if you have a loss of use of your foot, the rating can go higher. 

Establishing Service Connection

Service connection is the VA’s official recognition that a disability was caused or worsened by military service, making you eligible for disability benefits. 

You can prove service connection for plantar fasciitis with these three key elements: 

• A current medical diagnosis of plantar fasciitis 

• An in-service event, injury, or illness that caused or aggravated your condition    

• A medical nexus, or link, connecting your military service to your condition (can be a nexus letter) 

Secondary Conditions to Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis can cause or aggravate other conditions that may also be eligible for VA disability benefits. These are called secondary conditions, and they may increase your overall combined VA rating. 

Common secondary conditions to plantar fasciitis include: 

• Heel spurs 

• Ankle pain 

• Knee pain 

• Hip pain 

• Lower back pain

Expert Tip: If you are filing a VA claim for secondary service connection OR a claim that was previously denied service connection—a credible Nexus Letter may be the missing link. (related: When Do You Need a Nexus Letter?)

>> Related Post: VA Secondary Conditions to Plantar Fasciitis

Filing a VA Disability Claim

To qualify for a plantar fasciitis VA rating, you must file a VA claim using VA Form 21-526EZ.  

You can file a VA claim:  

• Online  

• By mail  

• Via fax  

• In person at a VA regional office  

If you plan to file for disability compensation using paper form, consider submitting an intent to file form first. 

This allows you to gather evidence while protecting your effective date, which could mean retroactive payments. 

Did you know? If you’re filing online, you don’t need to submit an intent to file because the effective date is automatically set when you begin completing the form. 

C&P Exam

A compensation and pension (C&P) exam for plantar fasciitis may confirm whether you have the condition and determine if it’s connected to your military service or another service-connected disability. 

It also evaluates the severity of your symptoms, including their frequency, intensity, duration, and impact on your work, daily life, and social activities. 

See Also: How Much Weight Does a C&P Exam Have? 

The Value of a Nexus Letter

A nexus letter is a medical document that links your current diagnosis to a specific event, injury, or exposure during your military service. 

For plantar fasciitis, a nexus letter can be key to proving service connection, especially if your original claim was denied or if your condition is secondary to another service-connected disability. 

Although the VA doesn’t require a nexus letter, having one may significantly strengthen your claim by offering clear medical evidence tying your condition to your service. 

The experienced team at Telemedica can provide a well-crafted nexus letter for plantar fasciitis.

Conclusion

Solid medical evidence is the most critical factor in winning VA disability claims. Without it, claims are often denied.  

Strong documentation, including a current diagnosis, service records, and a nexus letter, can significantly improve your chances of receiving the highest possible rating. 

Medical Evidence Wins VA Claims

Did you know that a lack of medical evidence is the #1 reason VA disability claims are denied?  

Medical evidence is a crucial piece of the puzzle that VA raters consider when reviewing a disability claim. Telemedica provides solutions for veterans looking to bolster their claims through high-quality medical evidence that wins claims!  

Schedule your 20-minute consultation, get answers for your service-connected disability, and start on your path to well-being.

(FAQs) Frequently Asked Questions

Is Plantar Fasciitis a VA Disability?

Yes. Plantar fasciitis is a VA disability if you can prove it was caused or aggravated due to your service.

Can I get 100% VA disability for plantar fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis alone usually receives a VA disability rating between 0% and 40%, depending on severity. A 100% rating generally requires total loss of use of both feet or other severe conditions. 

However, if plantar fasciitis is secondary to another service-connected condition, it may increase your overall combined VA rating. 

What is the plantar fasciitis VA rating?

The VA rates plantar fasciitis under 38 C.F.R. § 4.71a, Diagnostic Code 5269. Veterans can receive a 10%, 20%, or 30% rating depending on whether the condition affects one or both feet and if it improves with treatment. In severe cases where plantar fasciitis leads to the loss of use of the foot, the VA may assign a 40% rating.

How do I prove plantar fasciitis for VA disability?

To prove plantar fasciitis for VA disability, you need medical evidence showing a diagnosis from a qualified healthcare provider. VA claims are stronger when you include documentation of symptoms, treatments, and how the condition affects your daily life or ability to work. If your plantar fasciitis is secondary to another service-connected condition, medical evidence linking the two is also necessary. 

What is the CFR code for plantar fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is rated under 38 C.F.R. § 4.71a, Diagnostic Code 5269. 

Is it difficult to get disability for plantar fasciitis?

Getting VA disability for plantar fasciitis can be challenging without strong medical evidence linking the condition to your service. Claims are easier to approve when you have a current diagnosis, treatment records, and documentation showing how it affects your daily life. 

What causes plantar fasciitis in the military?

Plantar fasciitis in the military is often caused by repetitive marching, running, long hours on hard surfaces, or wearing heavy boots. Foot injuries during training or deployment can also trigger or worsen the condition. 

What is the average VA disability rating for foot pain?

The average VA disability rating for foot pain, including plantar fasciitis, typically ranges from 10% to 20%. More severe cases, especially bilateral conditions or loss of use, can receive ratings up to 40%.