Claiming Plantar Fasciitis?
Create a free account to organize your evidence and download your conditions summary.
VA Rating Tiers
30%
severe
20%
moderately severe
10%
moderate
0%
mild
Rating Notes
- ›30%: Marked limitation of motion or severe painful condition with significant functional impairment. DC 5284.
- ›20%: Moderately severe limitation or recurring flare-ups with functional impact. DC 5284.
- ›10%: Moderate symptoms with functional limitation. DC 5284.
- ›0%: Minimal symptoms — service connected but non-compensable.
- ›DC 5284 covers foot injuries and conditions not otherwise specified.
- ›Bilateral plantar fasciitis may qualify for the bilateral factor (10% added to combined rating).
- ›Rating is based on severity of painful limitation and functional impact.
- ›A C&P examiner will assess gait, range of motion, and tenderness on palpation.
- ›Orthotics use and treatment history help document chronicity and severity.
Eligibility Basics
✅
Current symptoms
✅
In-service event
✅
Diagnosis or lay evidence
- •VA rates plantar fasciitis under DC 5284 (foot injuries, other) using analogous ratings from the foot/ankle schedule.
- •Direct service connection is common — document ruck marching, prolonged standing, running, or a specific foot injury.
- •Plantar fasciitis in one or both feet is ratable — bilateral involvement may qualify for the bilateral factor.
- •Lay evidence describing onset and continuity of symptoms is valuable if service records are limited.
Evidence to Gather
Service Records
- •sick call records for foot or heel pain
- •physical training injury records
- •records of foot injuries, sprains, or stress fractures
- •separation physical noting foot issues
Medical Evidence
- •podiatry or orthopedic records documenting plantar fasciitis
- •X-ray of heel (may show heel spur)
- •MRI or ultrasound of plantar fascia
- •primary care notes for heel or foot pain
Lay Evidence (Buddy Statements)
- •statement describing onset of heel pain during service
- •buddy statement noting limping or foot complaints during service
- •statement describing physical demands of MOS and how they led to foot issues
Diagnostic Tests
- •clinical examination by podiatrist or orthopedist
- •X-ray (weight-bearing, heel view)
- •MRI of foot/heel
- •ultrasound of plantar fascia
- •gait analysis
C&P Exam Preparation
Exam type: Orthopedic / Podiatry
Be ready to describe
- •when and how foot pain first started
- •the type of physical demands in your MOS
- •your worst typical symptoms on a normal day
- •how the condition limits walking, standing, or working
- •all treatments tried and their results
Prep notes
- •Bring imaging reports, podiatry records, and orthotic prescriptions.
- •Walk normally — do not hide your limp if you have one.
- •Describe morning pain with first steps — this is a classic plantar fasciitis finding.
- •Mention bilateral symptoms if both feet are affected.
- •Describe your worst day, not just a good day.
Quick Facts
- Diagnostic Code
- DC 5284
- Category
- Musculoskeletal
- Subcategory
- Foot/Ankle
- Typical Claim Type
- direct
- Rating Range
- 0% – 30%
Also Known As
plantar fasciitisheel painfoot painplantar fasciopathyheel spurarch pain
Related Conditions
Secondary to
Commonly leads to
📋
Organize your claim
Add Plantar Fasciitis to your claim and answer guided questions to build your evidence package.
Get Started Free