What are the VA rating percentages for Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar Fasciitis (DC 5276) is rated at 0%, 10%, 30%, 50% under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5276. Mild: symptoms relieved by built-up shoe or arch support.

What rates 0% for Plantar Fasciitis under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5276?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5276 (DC 5276), a 0% rating for Plantar Fasciitis requires: Mild: symptoms relieved by built-up shoe or arch support.

What secondary conditions are linked to Plantar Fasciitis?

Common secondary conditions for Plantar Fasciitis include Heel Spurs, Knee Condition, Hip Condition, Lumbar Spine Condition, Achilles Tendonitis. Secondary service connection is established under 38 C.F.R. 3.310 when a condition is caused or aggravated by an already service-connected disability.

What happens during a C&P exam for Plantar Fasciitis?

Do NOT stretch, warm up, or take pain medication before your exam. The VA needs your baseline limitation. Report your WORST day. DeLuca v. Brown requires documentation of functional loss during flare-ups.

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Plantar Fasciitis

Q: What rates 10% for Plantar Fasciitis under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5276?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5276 (DC 5276), a 10% rating for Plantar Fasciitis requires: Moderate: weight-bearing line over or medial to the great toe, inward bowing of the tendo achillis, pain on manipulation and use of the feet (bilateral or unilateral).

Q: What rates 30% for Plantar Fasciitis under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5276?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5276 (DC 5276), a 30% rating for Plantar Fasciitis requires: Severe bilateral (20% unilateral): objective evidence of marked deformity (pronation, abduction), pain on manipulation and use accentuated, indication of swelling on use, characteristic callosities.

Q: What rates 50% for Plantar Fasciitis under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5276?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5276 (DC 5276), a 50% rating for Plantar Fasciitis requires: Pronounced bilateral (30% unilateral): marked pronation, extreme tenderness of plantar surfaces of feet, marked inward displacement and severe spasm of the tendo achillis on manipulation, not improved by orthopedic shoes or appliances.

Q: What evidence do I need for a Plantar Fasciitis VA claim?

Key evidence for a Plantar Fasciitis claim includes: Service treatment records showing injury or complaints; Imaging (X-ray, MRI, CT); Range of motion measurements; Flare-up documentation per Sharp v. Shulkin; Buddy statements describing limitations. All evidence should document both the condition and its impact on daily functioning.

DC 527638 C.F.R. § 4.71a

Diagnostic Code

DC 5276

38 C.F.R. § 4.71a

Rating Range

0–50%

4 severity tiers

Source

Referenced

38 C.F.R. Part 4

Plantar Fasciitis is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 5276 of 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5276 across 4 severity tiers (0% / 10% / 30% / 50%). Service connection requires (1) a current diagnosis, (2) an in-service event, injury, or exposure, and (3) a medical nexus opinion linking the two under 38 C.F.R. § 3.303. This condition is frequently rated as secondary to Heel Spurs or Knee Condition under 38 C.F.R. § 3.310.

Educational tool only. Not legal or medical advice. Not affiliated with the VA.

Overview

Chronic inflammation and micro-tearing of the plantar fascia on the bottom of the foot, causing severe heel pain especially with first morning steps

Rating Criteria

Mild: symptoms relieved by built-up shoe or arch support.

10%

Moderate: weight-bearing line over or medial to the great toe, inward bowing of the tendo achillis, pain on manipulation and use of the feet (bilateral or unilateral).

30%

Severe bilateral (20% unilateral): objective evidence of marked deformity (pronation, abduction), pain on manipulation and use accentuated, indication of swelling on use, characteristic callosities.

50%

Pronounced bilateral (30% unilateral): marked pronation, extreme tenderness of plantar surfaces of feet, marked inward displacement and severe spasm of the tendo achillis on manipulation, not improved by orthopedic shoes or appliances.

Key Evidence

—Service treatment records showing injury or complaints

—Imaging (X-ray, MRI, CT)

—Range of motion measurements

—Flare-up documentation per Sharp v. Shulkin

—Buddy statements describing limitations

—Prescription history

—Physical therapy records

—Employment impact documentation

C&P Exam Tips

1Do NOT stretch, warm up, or take pain medication before your exam. The VA needs your baseline limitation.

2Report your WORST day. DeLuca v. Brown requires documentation of functional loss during flare-ups.

3Tell the examiner about flare-ups: frequency, duration, estimated ROM loss. Sharp v. Shulkin (2017) requires estimates.

4Request active, passive, weight-bearing, and non-weight-bearing ROM testing per Correia v. McDonald (2016).

5If you use assistive devices (brace, cane), bring them.

6Describe daily activity impact: work, sleep, household tasks.

Secondary Conditions

Heel SpursMODERATE

Chronic inflammation causes bone spur formation

Knee ConditionMODERATE

Altered gait to avoid foot pain stresses knees

Hip ConditionMODERATE

Compensatory gait affects hips

Lumbar Spine ConditionMODERATE

Antalgic gait stresses lower back

Achilles TendonitisMODERATE

Calf tightness contributes to both conditions

Knee PainMODERATE

Altered gait from foot pain stresses knee

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Tools

Rating Calculator →Secondaries Explorer →C&P Exam Prep →PACT Act Scanner →2026 Rates →

Sources & Editorial

Rating criteria reference 38 C.F.R. Part 4 (Schedule for Rating Disabilities). This entry has not yet undergone editorial review against the live regulation text — consult the authoritative source directly before relying on the criteria shown.

View 38 C.F.R. Part 4 on eCFR →Editorial Standards →Suggest a correction →

EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. NOT LEGAL OR MEDICAL ADVICE.
NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
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