★ Musculoskeletal
Plantar Fasciitis VA Rating
38 CFR § 4.71a, Diagnostic Code 5269
Overview
Before 2021, plantar fasciitis was rated by analogy. DC 5269 now provides specific criteria.
Common in veterans with extensive ruck-marching and standing duty.
In Depth
Plantar fasciitis received its own diagnostic code — DC 5269 — in VA's February 7, 2021 revision of the musculoskeletal rating schedule at 38 CFR § 4.71a. Before that date it was commonly rated by analogy under 38 CFR § 4.20, most often to the foot-injury code, so older decisions may show a hyphenated analogous code.
DC 5269 is structured around whether the condition affects one foot or both feet, and around the response to treatment — specifically whether symptoms are relieved by non-surgical or surgical treatment, or are not relieved. The regulation's exact tiers and definitions control.
Because 38 CFR § 4.14 bars compensating the same manifestation under multiple codes, plantar fasciitis findings that overlap with flatfoot (DC 5276) or other foot codes generally cannot be counted twice; separate evaluations require distinct disabling manifestations.
How to Establish Service Connection
- Direct: in-service foot pain documentation.
- Continuity of symptomatology since separation.
- Secondary to flat feet, knee, or back conditions.
Rating Criteria
Paraphrased from 38 CFR § 4.71a, Diagnostic Code 5269
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 10% | One foot, with or without orthotics, not relieved by surgery. |
| 20% | Either: both feet (no surgery), or one foot not improved by surgery. |
| 30% | Both feet, not improved by surgery. |
See what each percentage pays in 2026 and how it combines with your current rating →
Evidence Checklist
- Service medical records.
- Podiatry treatment records.
- Imaging or steroid-injection records.
- Surgical records if applicable.
Evidence Templates
Common formats of evidence the VA looks for in this type of claim. These describe what the documents typically include — they are not legal forms or medical opinions, and Oakridge Claims does not draft them.
Range-of-motion measurements (goniometer findings)
Treatment notes or examination reports recording measured motion in degrees. 38 CFR § 4.59 and the Correia v. McDonald framework contemplate testing in active motion, passive motion, weight-bearing, and non-weight-bearing where applicable.
Imaging reports (X-ray, MRI, CT)
Radiology reports identifying the underlying pathology. Several diagnostic codes in 38 CFR § 4.71a require X-ray confirmation of arthritis before a compensable evaluation applies.
Treatment records showing flare-up frequency
Contemporaneous clinical notes documenting when the condition worsens, how long it lasts, and any prescribed rest, bracing, or activity restriction. DeLuca v. Brown addresses functional loss during flare-ups.
Evidence VA Commonly Cites in These Claims
Descriptive summary of evidence types frequently referenced in rating decisions for this condition. Not a checklist of actions to take — every claim is decided on its own facts.
- ★Podiatry or primary-care notes documenting which foot or feet are involved map directly onto the structure of DC 5269.
- ★Records of orthotics, injections, physical therapy, night splints, or surgery show what treatment has been tried and its result, which is what the code's tiers are written around.
- ★Where the condition is claimed as secondary to a service-connected knee, ankle, or back condition, a clinician's documented assessment of that relationship is what § 3.310 addresses.
- ★Imaging or clinical findings distinguishing plantar fasciitis from pes planus help avoid an overlap analysis under § 4.14.
Common pitfalls VA sees
- Assuming a pre-2021 analogous rating automatically converts to DC 5269 without a claim for increase being filed.
- Claiming both plantar fasciitis and flatfoot for the same symptom picture without distinct manifestations, given § 4.14.
- Leaving bilateral involvement undocumented when the code distinguishes one foot from both.
Common Secondary Conditions
Conditions frequently service-connected as secondary to Plantar Fasciitis:
Frequently Asked Questions
Have a Plantar Fasciitis claim or denial?
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Educational content only — not legal advice and not medical advice. Rating criteria on this page are summarized in plain English from 38 CFR Part 4; consult VA.gov or the current Code of Federal Regulations for official criteria. This page provides general education about how the VA rates this condition; it is not individualized advice, does not establish a representation relationship, and should not be used to self-diagnose, self-treat, or decide a course of action without speaking to a qualified clinician and a VA-accredited representative. Outcomes depend on each veteran's individual facts, evidence, and the adjudicator's judgment; no specific rating, effective date, or other result is guaranteed. Oakridge Claims is a private business and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by the US Department of Veterans Affairs.