Understanding Flatfoot / Pes Planus VA Disability
Flatfoot (pes planus) — collapse of the medial longitudinal arch — is a common VA disability in veterans who served in physically demanding occupational specialties. The VA rates pes planus under 38 CFR § 4.71a, Diagnostic Code 5276, based on the severity of arch collapse, pain, and functional impairment.
VA Rating Schedule for Flatfoot / Pes Planus
The VA rates flatfoot / pes planus under the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities (38 CFR). The following table shows each possible rating level and what it represents clinically. Your rating is based on the severity of symptoms documented during a Compensation and Pension (C&P) examination and supported by your medical records.
| Rating | Clinical Criteria & Functional Impairment |
|---|---|
| 0% | Mild pes planus; slight lowering of the arch, no symptoms or minimal tenderness. |
| 10% | Moderate; weight-bearing line falls over or medial to great toe, inward bowing of Achilles tendon, pain on pressure over plantar surface. |
| 30% | Severe; pronation on weight-bearing, pain on prolonged standing/walking, marked inward displacement of Achilles tendon, or heel valgus of 3° or more. |
| 50% | Pronounced; marked pronation, extreme plantar surface tenderness, marked inward displacement with severe spasm of the Achilles tendon, or inability to bear weight on foot. |
How a Nexus Letter Helps Your Flatfoot / Pes Planus VA Claim
A nexus letter is a medical opinion, written and signed by a licensed physician, that establishes the connection between a veteran's current diagnosis and their military service. The VA requires this "nexus" as one of three elements for service connection under 38 CFR § 3.303: a current diagnosis, an in-service event or injury, and a medical link between the two.
A nexus letter for pes planus must establish that arch collapse and associated symptoms developed from military service demands. Extended road marching, prolonged standing and patrolling, and high-impact physical training on hard surfaces are well-documented mechanisms. The physician should document: in-service physical demands and footwear limitations; in-service treatment records; current findings (arch height, heel valgus, Achilles tendon alignment, plantar tenderness); functional impact on walking; and the medical rationale. The nexus letter should address whether the pes planus was pre-existing but aggravated by service — veterans entering service with mild flat feet who develop significant symptomatic pes planus from service can claim under the aggravation theory.
Semper Solutus provides MD-authored nexus letters written by physicians experienced in VA rating criteria and 38 CFR standards. Our letters use the "at least as likely as not" language required by VA adjudication standards and include a thorough review of all available medical records.
Secondary Conditions Commonly Linked to Flatfoot / Pes Planus
When a condition is caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability, it may qualify for secondary service connection under 38 CFR § 3.310. This means veterans with service-connected flatfoot / pes planus may be able to claim additional compensation for related conditions. The following conditions are frequently documented as secondary to flatfoot / pes planus:
Plantar Fasciitis
Pes planus is a primary biomechanical risk factor for developing plantar fasciitis.
Ankle Condition
Arch collapse affects ankle alignment and stability.
Knee Condition
Arch collapse causes excessive pronation that rotates the tibia inward, stressing the knee.
Medical Evidence That Strengthens a Flatfoot / Pes Planus VA Claim
Key evidence: in-service treatment records for foot pain; podiatric examination documenting arch height, heel valgus, and Achilles tendon alignment; x-ray showing arch height measurements; records from orthopedics or podiatry; and a nexus letter from a physician.
Frequently Asked Questions: Flatfoot / Pes Planus VA Disability
Even if you had flat feet before service, the VA must grant service connection if military service aggravated the condition beyond its natural progression. A nexus letter documenting how service worsened symptomatic pes planus is the key.
Pes planus is rated per foot under DC 5276. Veterans with bilateral flat feet receive ratings for both feet, which are then combined using the VA's combined ratings formula.
Pes planus increases tension on the plantar fascia and is a biomechanical risk factor for plantar fasciitis. Both conditions can be service-connected and rated separately. A nexus letter should distinguish the clinical presentations of each condition.
If pes planus symptoms are controlled by custom orthotics but significant pain occurs without them, the VA should rate based on the severity of symptoms without the orthotic. Document both controlled and uncontrolled symptom levels.
Related Conditions & Resources
Veterans with flatfoot / pes planus often pursue claims for related conditions. Use the disability rating calculator or explore related condition guides: