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VA rating guide · Feet

Flat Feet VA Rating: Pes Planus & Plantar Fasciitis

Years of ruck marches, boots and standing on concrete take a toll. Flat feet and plantar fasciitis are common, ratable conditions, even when flat feet were noted when you joined.

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Pes planus criteria
Plantar fasciitis criteria
Pre-existing flat feet
Secondary conditions

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38 CFR 4.71a · DC 5276

Acquired Flat Feet (Pes Planus) Criteria

Flat feet are rated by severity, with different percentages for one foot or both.

From 38 CFR 4.71a, DC 5276 (current as of October 2026). See monthly amounts in the 2026 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 Criteria

Plantar fasciitis has its own diagnostic code under the VA’s updated musculoskeletal rules.

From 38 CFR 4.71a, DC 5269 (current as of October 2026). With actual loss of use of the foot, it’s rated 40%. If surgery is recommended but you’re not a surgical candidate, the 20% or 30% criteria 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

What If Flat Feet Were Noted When You Entered Service?

Many veterans had mild flat feet noted on their entrance exam. That doesn’t end the claim. If the condition got worse during service beyond its natural progression, from training, marching, carrying loads, or years on your feet, it can be service-connected on the basis of aggravation.

If flat feet weren’t noted when you entered, the VA generally presumes you were sound at entry, and symptoms that began during service support direct service connection.

Secondary conditions

Painful, flattened feet change how you walk. With a supporting medical opinion, knee, hip and back conditions can be rated secondary to service-connected flat feet.

FAQ

Flat Feet VA Rating: Common Questions

Can I get a VA rating for flat feet I had before the military?

Yes, if service made them worse beyond their natural progression. That’s called aggravation, and the VA compensates the increase in severity caused by service.

Do orthotics lower my flat feet rating?

If your symptoms are relieved by built-up shoes or arch supports, flat feet are rated 0%. Higher ratings reflect symptoms like pain on use, swelling and deformity that persist despite treatment.

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

They have separate diagnostic codes, but the VA won’t compensate the same symptoms twice. Whether both can be rated depends on whether each condition causes distinct symptoms.

Is there a bilateral factor for both feet?

The flat feet criteria already account for both feet at the higher levels. When separate ratings apply to paired limbs, the bilateral factor can add a small amount to the combined rating.

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