Get A Pes Planus VA Rating? (Flat Feet)

Pes Planus, commonly known as flat foot, is a frequent foot abnormality among veterans. In short, the arch of the foot flattens and touches or nearly touches the ground. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides disability compensation for veterans who have a moderate to severe pes planus VA rating.

The VA rating for pes planus is based on the severity of the condition. The VA rates mild pes planus at 0%, but severe cases as high as 50%. In short, this can be a high value claim. However, you can use your pes planus VA rating as the basis for several other secondary claims.

In that regard, this could be the claim that helps get you to 100% overall.

Pes Plan VA Rating (Primary)

Pes planus is a condition that can be caused by several things, including injury, overuse, or arthritis. Veterans with mild pes planus may only experience pain and swelling occasionally, while those with more severe cases experience severe pain that starts in the feet and travels into the legs, hips, and back.

The VA will rate your pes planus using 38 C.F.R. § 4.71a, Diagnostic Code 5276. However, the specific rating will vary. A mild case of pes planus that is treatable with only shoe inserts will probably be a 0%. In addition, as we will examine later, this can be the foundation for additional secondary claims.

The VA rates moderate pain and symptoms at 10%, but severe cases rate at 20% (one foot) and 30% (two feet). In addition, the VA rates the most severe cases at 30% (one foot) and 50% (two feet). The VA will refer to both feet experiencing symptoms as “bilateral” as opposed to “unilateral” (one foot).

Pes Plan VA Rating (To Enable Secondary Claims)

You are reading this blog because you are on a mission to receive a 100% disability rating from the VA. A 10% or 20% rating for pes planus will be helpful. However, the true value of a pes planus claim is its ability to link shin splints, knees, hips, and the back as additional claims.

Contrary to what your barracks lawyer said; a secondary claim is equal to a primary claim. A secondary claim is an injury or illness that is caused or aggravated by a service-connected condition. Many veterans in our BOOT CAMP have been led to believe that somehow a secondary condition is not worth pursuing. That is simply not true. In fact, it will be much easier to reach 100% with secondary claims.