What to Expect from the VA for Flat Feet (Pes Planus)

kris | Posted on October 15, 2019 |

While often overlooked, a number of veterans experience the onset of pes planus (commonly known as “flat feet”) during and after their time in the service due to the high impact nature of training and work in the field.

Pes planus is a relatively common (it is estimated that 20-30% of the population has some degree of the condition) foot deformity caused by the loss of the medial, longitudinal arch of the foot. The arch of the foot serves as a support base for the entire body, and it consists of tough, elastic tendons, ligaments and fascia. Its main function is to decrease the strain of weight-bearing and store energy from the gait cycle.

WHAT IS PES PLANUS?!

Pes planus can be recognized by the fact that the arch (or arches) of your foot is either touching the ground or is nearly touching the ground.

This condition can occur in both feet (bilateral).

While there are not always symptoms resulting from pes planus, over time it can alter the mechanics of the legs and spine which can increase pain and injuries. Some will experience foot pain and swelling as it progresses.

Those with more severe cases of flat feet may experience symptoms such as:

Aches or pains in the arches or heels
Regular leg and back pain
Difficulty performing certain movements, such as standing on your toes
Consistent swelling of the feet
Noticeable foot fatigue which happens without much use

There is a large variation in the severity of pes planus. Depending on the severity and the lack of treatment, it can contribute to other conditions such as:

Bunions (bony bump formed on the base joint of your big toe)
Arthritis (the swelling and tenderness of joints)
Hammertoes (contracture, or bending, of one or both joints of the second, third, fourth, or fifth toes)
Plantar Fasciitis (inflammation of the fibrous tissue along the bottom of the foot that connects your heel bone to your toes)

Pes planus can develop over time due to the following risk factors:

torn or stretched tendons
Inflammation or damage to the posterior tibial tendon which runs down the lower leg to the middle of the arch of the foot
Dislocated or broken bones in the foot
Rheumatoid arthritis (chronic inflammation of joints)
Peripheral neuropathy (damaged or diseased nerves that carry messages to the body from the brain or spine)
Obesity
Frequent high impact activity

If flat feet is a condition you are experiencing, you should know that the VA does rate flat feet for disability compensation. The following will break down how the VA rates pes planus and what they will be looking for in order to accept a claim.

VA RATINGS FOR PES PLANUS

To determine the severity of your pes planus condition, you will undergo an examination which will consist of a number of tests.

The first will be an inspection of the feet that evaluates them with and without weight-bearing. Any flat foot should be apparent immediately. Feet will then be compared for asymmetry.

Next, the examiner will touch the posterior tibial tendon, the lateral rearfoot, and the plantar fascia to look for tears, scarring, and other abnormalities.

The range of motion will then be examined to determine if the pes planus is flexible (arch is present until weight-bearing) or rigid (no arch at all; extremely rare).

This will be followed by a muscle strength test which will have the patient raise up on their toes and then invert their feet against resistance.

Finally, there will be an assessment of the patient’s walking gait to see how far they are walking on the inward parts of their feet.

If severe and there is suspicion of major tendon or soft tissue damage, an MRI may be performed.

In deciding the disability rating for flat feet, the VA uses the rating schedule 38 C.F.R. § 4.71a which covers the musculoskeletal system. Ratings can be assigned up to 50% and are decided as follows:

MILD:

0%: Symptoms can be relieved by using arch supports. At this rating, the flat feet are considered mild and non-compensable.
10%: if there is pain in using the foot; the weight-bearing stays on the big toe rather than spread over the whole foot; or there is an inward bearing of the Achilles tendon (whether unilateral or bilateral)

SEVERE:

20%: severe unilateral flat foot with a clear deformity, regular swelling upon use, and characteristic callouses
30%: same symptoms but occurs in both feet (bilateral pes planus)

PRONOUNCED:

30%: it’s possible to get this rating in a unilateral occurrence if the Achilles tendon is inwardly displaced and experiencing spasms; if there is marked pronation (walking on the inside of the foot); and if there is severe tenderness of the plantar surfaces of the foot
50%: if the same symptoms of the pronounced unilateral flat foot occurs in both feet

In order to get any kind of rating from the VA, it is absolutely essential to provide a service-connection, as a great many people with pes planus were born with the congenital condition, not the acquired one. Because it is often without symptoms for a long period it is possible to have entered the service with the condition and no symptoms, but to leave with symptoms manifesting. Getting more information about this service connection is possible here.

However, the onset of symptoms will not be enough to have a claim accepted. It is the condition itself that much has occurred as a result of your service.

Proving your pes planus developed during service can be done with the recording of receiving new boots, receiving insoles or inserts, or having received medical treatment. Be sure to think of every possible record you can that can help point to the development of your condition.

To avoid the stress and excess time it can take to get pes planus service-connected, check out our ELITE program here. It has helped thousands of Veterans get what they deserve. Will you be the next one?!

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