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Plantar fasciitis can cause persistent heel pain that interferes with walking, standing, and working.
If your symptoms began during service or developed due to the physical demands of military duty, you may qualify for a VA rating for plantar fasciitis.
This post explains how the VA rates plantar fasciitis, how to prove service connection, and how secondary conditions can affect your overall compensation.
Summary of Key Points
- The VA rates plantar fasciitis at 10%, 20%, or 30% based on whether one or both feet are affected, and whether there is no relief from both non-surgical and surgical treatment
- A 40% VA rating for plantar fasciitis applies only when there is actual loss of use of the foot.
- Plantar fasciitis can place additional stress on your body and lead to secondary conditions, such as heel spurs and pain in the ankles, knees, hips, or lower back.
Table of Contents
Plantar Fasciitis in Veterans
The interactive image below shows the plantar fascia and surrounding structures commonly involved in chronic heel pain.
Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain and frequently affects those who have spent years standing, marching, running, or wearing boots with limited arch support.
The condition involves inflammation of the plantar fascia, a thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot and supports the arch.
Plantar fasciitis is more likely if you have:
- A history of long-distance running or high-impact physical training
- Prolonged standing during duty or deployments
- Poor arch or heel support from footwear, such as combat boots
- Increased body weight
- Repetitive stress on the feet over time
How the VA Rates Plantar Fasciitis
The VA rates plantar fasciitis under diagnostic code 5269, with potential ratings of 10%, 20%, 30%, or 40%, depending on whether the condition is unilateral or bilateral and whether symptoms persist despite non-surgical or surgical treatment.
A 40% VA rating for plantar fasciitis is only awarded if there is actual loss of use of the foot, and you meet the service-connection requirements.
Plantar Fasciitis VA Rating Chart
| DC 5269, Plantar Fasciitis | VA Rating |
| No relief from both non-surgical and surgical treatment, bilateral | 30% |
| No relief from both non-surgical and surgical treatment, unilateral | 20% |
| Otherwise, unilateral or bilateral | 10% |
| Note (1): With actual loss of use of the foot, rate 40 percent Note (2): If a veteran has been recommended for surgical intervention, but is not a surgical candidate, evaluate under the 20 percent or 30 percent criteria, whichever is applicable | |
Proving Service Connection for Plantar Fasciitis
To be eligible for a VA rating for plantar fasciitis, you must establish service connection.
Primary Service Connection
To establish primary service connection, you need three things:
- A current diagnosis of plantar fasciitis
- An in-service injury, illness, or event
- A medical nexus connecting your plantar fasciitis to your service (e.g., a nexus letter)
Secondary Service Connection
Plantar fasciitis may qualify as a secondary service-connected condition when it is caused or aggravated by another service-connected disability. This could occur due to an altered gait caused by a service-connected knee, ankle, hip, or back condition.
Pro Tip: To prove secondary service connection, you’ll need a current diagnosis and a medical nexus opinion (e.g, a nexus letter) explaining how the primary condition caused (or worsened) your plantar fasciitis.
Did you know? A well-written medical nexus letter can provide the missing link by clearly explaining how your plantar fasciitis is connected to your military service.
How to File a VA Claim for Plantar Fasciitis
The quickest way to file a VA claim is online, but you can also download and complete VA Form 21-526EZ and submit it:
- By mail
- Via fax
- In person at a VA regional office
See More: The Best Way to File a VA Claim
C&P Exam for Plantar Fasciitis
A compensation and pension (C&P) exam for plantar fasciitis typically includes a physical exam and a review of your symptom history and severity over time. The examiner may order X-rays to look for objective findings, such as heel spurs.
During the exam, clearly explain how heel pain limits your ability to work, walk, exercise, or function during flare-ups.
It’s also important to document any treatments you’ve tried, such as heel cups, inserts, or night splints, and whether they provided relief.
>> Learn More: C&P Exam for Plantar Fasciitis
(VIDEO) How to Increase Your Plantar Fasciitis VA Rating!
VA Secondary Conditions to Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis can place added stress on other parts of your body, sometimes leading to additional medical conditions over time.
When a secondary condition is caused or worsened by service-connected plantar fasciitis, it may also qualify for VA disability compensation.
Plantar fasciitis can lead to:
- Heel spurs
- Ankle pain
- Knee pain
- Hip pain
- Lower back pain
To establish secondary service connection, you must provide the following:
- A current diagnosis: Medical documentation of your secondary condition from a qualified provider.
- A medical nexus: Evidence showing that your secondary condition was caused or aggravated by your service-connected plantar fasciitis.
Learn More: Plantar Fasciitis and Secondary VA Claims
Conclusion
Plantar fasciitis claims depend on more than a current diagnosis. The VA considers treatment history, whether there is no relief from non-surgical and surgical treatment, and whether there is actual loss of use of the foot, as well as whether the condition is linked to your military service or another service-connected disability.
Clear medical records, accurate C&P exam findings, and a well-supported nexus opinion can significantly affect the rating outcome.
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FAQs | Frequently Asked Questions
Is plantar fasciitis a disability?
Yes, plantar fasciitis is a VA disability and can be rated at 10%, 20%, 30% or 40%, depending on whether it is unilateral (one foot) or bilateral (both feet) and the severity of your symptoms. A 40% VA rating may be awarded if there is actual loss of use of the foot.
What is the VA rating for plantar fasciitis?
The VA rating for plantar fasciitis ranges from 10% to 40%, with breaks at 20% and 30%. A VA plantar fasciitis rating is based on whether one or both feet are affected, the severity of symptoms, and how the condition responds to treatment.
How do you prove plantar fasciitis to the VA?
To prove plantar fasciitis, you need a current medical diagnosis, evidence that the condition began in service or is secondary to another service-connected condition, and medical records showing ongoing symptoms and treatment.
Is there a bilateral plantar fasciitis VA rating?
The bilateral factor generally doesn’t apply when plantar fasciitis is rated on its own because DC 5269 already accounts for involvement of one or both feet, but it may affect your overall combined rating if you have other separate, compensable conditions involving paired extremities.
What is the average VA rating for plantar fasciitis?
The average VA rating for plantar fasciitis ranges from 10% to 40%, depending on treatment response, severity, and whether one or both feet are affected.
What causes plantar fasciitis in the military?
Plantar fasciitis in the military is commonly caused by prolonged standing, marching, running, and wearing boots with limited arch support. Repetitive impact, uneven terrain, and physically demanding training can place constant stress on the plantar fascia, leading to chronic heel pain.
How hard is it to get disability for plantar fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis VA claims are more likely to be approved when medical evidence clearly shows a current diagnosis, service connection, whether there is no relief from non-surgical and surgical treatment, and whether there is actual loss of use of the foot. Claims are stronger when treatment history, imaging, and a medical nexus opinion clearly document how the condition began in service or was caused or worsened by another service-connected disability.
Can you get separate VA ratings for flat feet and plantar fasciitis?
Usually, no. Because flat feet (pes planus) and plantar fasciitis often produce overlapping symptoms, the VA generally will not assign separate ratings for both due to the rule against pyramiding. If you’re diagnosed with both conditions, the VA should apply the “higher of two evaluations” rule and award the single rating that best reflects your overall disability picture. For example, severe bilateral flat feet may be rated at 50%, which is higher than the maximum 30% schedular rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis.
Pro tip: If you have both diagnoses, file claims for both and let the VA determine which condition and rating criteria most accurately apply.
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About the Author
Kelly Olone
Kelly Olone is a military spouse who earned her degree in Psychology from Florida International University. After working in the non-profit sector for several years, she turned to her passion for writing. She aims to contribute to a better understanding of the valuable benefits that veterans deserve. As a mom, Kelly navigates the delicate balance between deadlines and bedtime stories with finesse.
