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Rating guide · Feet

Flat Feet & Heel Pain: Worth a Closer Look

Foot conditions are easy to brush off, until every step hurts. Flat feet and plantar fasciitis each have their own VA ratings, and flat feet on your entrance exam don’t rule out a claim.

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Flat feet criteria
Plantar fasciitis criteria
Aggravation explained
Chain reactions up the body

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38 CFR 4.71a · DC 5276

Flat Feet (Pes Planus)

Severity, and whether one foot or both is affected, sets the rating.

Current as of October 2026. See monthly amounts in the pay chart on our calculator page.
Rating	VA criteria
50%	Pronounced, bilateral (30% unilateral): marked pronation, extreme tenderness of plantar surfaces of the feet, marked inward displacement and severe spasm of the tendo achillis on manipulation, not improved by orthopedic shoes or appliances.
30%	Severe, bilateral (20% unilateral): objective evidence of marked deformity (pronation, abduction, etc.), pain on manipulation and use accentuated, indication of swelling on use, characteristic callosities.
10%	Moderate, bilateral or unilateral: weight-bearing line over or medial to great toe, inward bowing of the tendo achillis, pain on manipulation and use of the feet.
0%	Mild: symptoms relieved by built-up shoe or arch support.

38 CFR 4.71a · DC 5269

Plantar Fasciitis

Current as of October 2026. Actual loss of use of the foot is rated 40%. If surgery is recommended but you aren’t a candidate, the 20% or 30% levels apply.
Rating	VA criteria
30%	No relief from both non-surgical and surgical treatment, bilateral.
20%	No relief from both non-surgical and surgical treatment, unilateral.
10%	Otherwise, unilateral or bilateral.

Service connection

Flat Feet Before Enlistment? Think “Aggravation”

If your entrance exam noted flat feet, they count as pre-existing, but the VA still compensates the amount service made them worse beyond their natural progression. Long marches, heavy loads and years on concrete flight lines or motor pools are common causes. Sick-call visits for foot pain during service are valuable evidence.

If nothing was noted when you entered, you’re generally presumed to have been sound, and symptoms that started in service support direct connection.

Foot problems change how you walk, which can lead to knee, hip and back conditions that can be claimed as secondary.

FAQ

Flat Feet VA Rating: Common Questions

My flat feet were noted when I enlisted. Can I still claim them?

Yes, on the basis of aggravation, if service made them worse beyond their natural progression.

Do orthotics hurt my rating?

If arch supports or built-up shoes relieve your symptoms, flat feet rate 0%. Higher ratings reflect symptoms that persist despite them.

Can I be rated for both flat feet and plantar fasciitis?

They have separate codes, but the VA won’t pay twice for the same symptoms. It depends on whether each causes distinct problems.

Can foot problems lead to other claims?

Yes. With a medical opinion, knee, hip and back conditions caused by a changed gait can be service-connected as secondary.

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