If you’re a Veteran living with foot pain, you are not alone. Plantar fasciitis, often called “runner’s heel,” is a common and painful condition that can significantly disrupt a Veteran’s life. The condition affects the thick tissue on the bottom of your foot that connects your heel to your toes. The constant stress of military life, from long marches to rigorous physical training, can put a severe strain on this tissue.
Research from the military has found that foot and ankle injuries are among the most common reasons for medical visits by active-duty service members.
Can You Get a VA Disability Rating for Plantar Fasciitis?
Yes, you can. It is a ratable condition. The VA evaluates it based on how severe it is and how it affects your ability to walk and live your life. This guide will help you understand how to show a connection between your foot pain and your service.
Understanding Plantar Fasciitis and Its Link to Military Service
Plantar fasciitis causes a sharp, stabbing pain near your heel. The pain is often worst with your first steps in the morning or after sitting for a long time. It can lead to stiffness and make it hard to stand or walk.
For Veterans, plantar fasciitis often develops from the repetitive stress and overuse that comes with military duties.
- Rigorous Training: Activities like marching, running, and physical training can create constant stress on the plantar fascia.
- Combat Boots and Heavy Gear: Wearing stiff boots and carrying heavy packs can put too much pressure on your feet.
- Service-Related Injuries: An injury to your foot or ankle during service can change how you walk and lead to plantar fasciitis later on.
Is It Difficult to Prove Service Connection for Plantar Fasciitis?
Proving the connection requires a medical nexus. You must show that the condition started or was worsened by your military service. This is often done by documenting the stress on your feet during your service and getting a medical opinion that links the two.
Symptoms to Document for Your Medical Records
To build a strong case, it’s helpful to track and document your symptoms. Be sure to discuss these with your doctor, as they are key details for your medical records:
- Pain that is sharp and stabbing, especially with your first steps in the morning.
- Pain after long periods of sitting or standing.
- Difficulty walking or standing for extended periods of time.
- Stiffness or tightness in the arch of your foot.
- Any limping or changes in your gait (how you walk).
The Domino Effect: Linking Your Health Conditions
Think of your health issues not as separate problems, but as a series of connected events, a kind of Disability Domino Effect. Your VA benefits journey is all about drawing a clear line, a medical nexus, from one condition to another.
First, you must connect a condition to your military service. This is your primary link. From there, you can show how that service-connected condition led to a secondary condition. For instance, a service-connected knee injury that changes how you walk might lead to plantar fasciitis because of the new, unnatural stress on your feet.
The domino effect can also work the other way. If your plantar fasciitis causes you to limp or change how you walk, that change can put extra stress on your knees, hips, or back. Over time, that stress could potentially lead to pain or other conditions in those areas.
Your medical evidence should connect your foot pain to any new conditions that develop as a result.
Plantar Fasciitis VA Rating Criteria
The VA rates plantar fasciitis based on how severe it is and how it affects your ability to function. The ratings were updated in February 2021, and the highest possible rating is 40%. The ratings for plantar fasciitis are:
- 40%: Severe bilateral (both feet) plantar fasciitis that has not gotten better with any type of treatment (like surgery or special shoe inserts).
- 30%: Severe unilateral (one foot) plantar fasciitis that has not gotten better with treatment.
- 20%: The condition affects one foot and has not gotten better with surgery or other treatment.
- 10%: The condition affects one or both feet and is rated based only on symptoms, with treatment not being a factor.
Does the VA Consider Pain When Rating Plantar Fasciitis?
Yes, pain is a primary symptom and a key factor. The VA will look at how often and how severe your pain is, especially how it impacts your ability to walk, stand, and do daily tasks.
What Does “Unsuccessful Treatment” Mean?
This is a very important part of your medical evidence. It means that you have tried common treatments (like orthotics, physical therapy, or injections) and your condition has not gotten better. Your medical records must show that these treatments were attempted and did not provide relief. This helps prove to the VA that your condition is severe and long-lasting.
Essential Medical Evidence for Your Journey
Strong medical evidence is the foundation of any successful VA benefits journey. For plantar fasciitis, this includes:
- A Current Diagnosis: A clear diagnosis of your condition from a doctor, such as a podiatrist or orthopedist.
- Medical Records: Consistent notes from your doctors showing when your symptoms started, how they have progressed, and how severe they are.
- Treatment Records: Documents showing all the treatments you’ve tried, such as physical therapy, special shoe inserts, injections, and any surgeries. A record of unsuccessful treatments is often a powerful piece of evidence.
- Medical Nexus Letter: This is a professional medical opinion from a doctor that specifically links your plantar fasciitis to your military service or to another service-connected condition.
- Statements from You and Others: Your own personal statement (VA Form 21-4138) describing when your symptoms began and how the condition now impacts your daily life. Statements from family or friends who can also talk about how the foot pain affects you are very helpful.
What to Expect at Your VA Exam
During a VA exam for plantar fasciitis, the examiner will likely check your feet for tenderness, test your range of motion, and see how you walk. It’s important to be honest and thorough about how you feel. Tell the examiner about your pain. Explain how the pain limits your ability to walk, stand, and participate in hobbies. This is your chance to connect your medical evidence with your personal experience.
Taking the Next Step in Your Medical Journey
Plantar fasciitis can be a debilitating condition that significantly impacts your quality of life. You served our country, and you deserve to understand your medical situation and how it may relate to your potential VA benefits. If you’re living with plantar fasciitis and believe it may be related to your service, gaining a clearer understanding of your medical situation can empower you.
You’re always in control of your benefits journey. With the right evidence, you can move forward with confidence.
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