Reference: 38 CFR 4.71a

Sources & Related Guides

What is the VA rating for Plantar Fasciitis?

VA disability ratings for plantar fasciitis are evaluated under 38 CFR 4.71a, Diagnostic Code 5269, at 10%, 20%, 30%, or 40%. Ratings depend on whether symptoms affect one or both feet, whether symptoms persist despite prescribed arch supports and surgical or conservative treatment, and whether severe cases result in functional loss of use of the foot.

Condition Overview & Clinical Scope

The published plantar fasciitis schedule uses a single diagnostic code with a small set of separate pathways. Some pathways focus on whether documented plantar fasciitis is unilateral or bilateral. Others focus on whether both nonsurgical and surgical treatment have already been tried without relief. A separate route addresses actual loss of use of the foot, and another route addresses a veteran for whom surgery has been recommended but who is not a surgical candidate. Unlike several upper-extremity guides, the plantar fasciitis schedule does not distinguish a dominant or nondominant side.

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Common Questions & FAQs

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Overview

About this condition

The published plantar fasciitis schedule uses a single diagnostic code with a small set of separate pathways. Some pathways focus on whether documented plantar fasciitis is unilateral or bilateral. Others focus on whether both nonsurgical and surgical treatment have already been tried without relief. A separate route addresses actual loss of use of the foot, and another route addresses a veteran for whom surgery has been recommended but who is not a surgical candidate. Unlike several upper-extremity guides, the plantar fasciitis schedule does not distinguish a dominant or nondominant side.

Regulatory authority: 38 CFR 4.71a, DC 5269

IMPORTANT DISCLOSURE: DC 5269's 30 percent bilateral no-relief tier already builds both feet into a single diagnostic code; it is not the sum of two 20 percent unilateral evaluations and cannot be combined with a second unilateral rating for the same plantar fasciitis finding under VA's anti-pyramiding rule (38 CFR 4.14). This guide is educational only. RatingScope does not diagnose plantar fasciitis, does not infer missing treatment-history or side details, does not determine service connection, and does not predict a VA decision. The surgery-recommended-but-not-a-candidate route does not carry its own stand-alone percentage and is flagged below rather than estimated.

Percentage Guides

Understanding Your Percentage

Select a pathway to see what the published criteria ask about, what records may clarify it, and what should not be assumed.

10%

Next: 20%

The 10% level describes otherwise unilateral or bilateral plantar fasciitis that does not meet a higher documented pathway.

What separates the next level: Higher levels require documentation that both nonsurgical and surgical treatment produced no relief, or that actual loss of use of the foot is present, rather than a further degree of this baseline finding.

Review CFR criteria, examples, and evidence
Official CFR language
DC 5269 lists otherwise unilateral or bilateral plantar fasciitis at 10 percent.
Qualification explanation
This level applies when plantar fasciitis is documented but the record does not also document that both nonsurgical and surgical treatment have been tried without relief, and does not document actual loss of use of the foot.
Examples
Plantar fasciitis is documented on one foot without a documented treatment-history finding of no relief.; Plantar fasciitis is documented on both feet without a documented treatment-history finding of no relief.
Medical evidence
Plantar Fasciitis DBQ or C&P exam findings; Diagnosis and treatment records; Imaging where applicable
Functional impact examples
Foot pain during standing or walking may still be real even when the record only supports this baseline pathway.; Activity limits may exist even without a documented no-relief treatment history.
Common misconceptions
A plantar fasciitis diagnosis alone does not automatically place the finding at a higher level.; Otherwise unilateral or bilateral plantar fasciitis is not the same as documented no relief from treatment.
Related topics
otherwise unilateral; otherwise bilateral; baseline plantar fasciitis
Source context
38 CFR 4.71a; 5269; Current educational Plantar Fasciitis guide; deterministic assessment support is not active.

20%

Next: 30%

The 20% level describes unilateral plantar fasciitis with no relief from both nonsurgical and surgical treatment.

What separates the next level: The bilateral version of this same no-relief finding moves to the 30% level instead. Actual loss of use of the foot moves to the 40% level.

Review CFR criteria, examples, and evidence
Official CFR language
DC 5269 lists unilateral plantar fasciitis with no relief from both nonsurgical and surgical treatment at 20 percent.
Qualification explanation
This level requires that plantar fasciitis affects one foot and that the record documents both nonsurgical and surgical treatment were tried and did not provide relief.
Examples
Plantar fasciitis affects the right foot, and the record documents nonsurgical and surgical treatment with no relief.; Plantar fasciitis affects the left foot only, with documented no-relief treatment history.
Medical evidence
Plantar Fasciitis DBQ or C&P exam findings; Nonsurgical treatment records; Operative or surgical treatment records; Follow-up records documenting continued symptoms after treatment
Functional impact examples
Persistent foot pain despite treatment may substantially affect standing, walking, or occupational tasks.; Continued symptoms after both nonsurgical and surgical treatment may indicate a more entrenched condition.
Common misconceptions
Trying only nonsurgical treatment, without documented surgical treatment, does not meet this two-part no-relief requirement.; A single affected foot with no-relief history should not be blended with a bilateral finding.
Related topics
unilateral no relief; nonsurgical treatment; surgical treatment
Source context
38 CFR 4.71a; 5269; Current educational Plantar Fasciitis guide; deterministic assessment support is not active.

30%

Next: 40%

The 30% level describes bilateral plantar fasciitis with no relief from both nonsurgical and surgical treatment.

What separates the next level: The unilateral version of this same no-relief finding is the 20% level instead. Actual loss of use of the foot moves to the 40% level.

Review CFR criteria, examples, and evidence
Official CFR language
DC 5269 lists bilateral plantar fasciitis with no relief from both nonsurgical and surgical treatment at 30 percent.
Qualification explanation
This level requires that plantar fasciitis affects both feet and that the record documents both nonsurgical and surgical treatment were tried and did not provide relief.
Examples
Plantar fasciitis affects both feet, and the record documents nonsurgical and surgical treatment with no relief on both sides.; Bilateral plantar fasciitis persists after both treatment types were tried.
Medical evidence
Plantar Fasciitis DBQ or C&P exam findings for both feet; Nonsurgical treatment records; Operative or surgical treatment records; Follow-up records documenting continued bilateral symptoms after treatment
Functional impact examples
Persistent bilateral foot pain despite treatment can substantially affect standing, walking, and weight-bearing tasks.; Occupational tasks requiring prolonged standing or walking may be affected on both sides.
Common misconceptions
Both feet must be documented, not just a general reference to foot pain.; This level should not be reached by simply doubling a unilateral finding without documented bilateral treatment history.
Related topics
bilateral no relief; nonsurgical treatment; surgical treatment
Source context
38 CFR 4.71a; 5269; Current educational Plantar Fasciitis guide; deterministic assessment support is not active.

40%

Highest listed pathway

The 40% level describes actual loss of use of the foot with plantar fasciitis.

What separates the next level: This is the highest documented level in this hub. The no-relief unilateral and bilateral pathways describe persistent symptoms after treatment, which is a different finding from actual loss of use.

Review CFR criteria, examples, and evidence
Official CFR language
DC 5269 lists actual loss of use of the foot with plantar fasciitis at 40 percent.
Qualification explanation
This is the highest documented level in this hub and requires a specific finding of actual loss of use of the foot, not simply severe pain or a lengthy no-relief treatment history.
Examples
The record documents actual loss of use of the foot in connection with plantar fasciitis.; Clinical findings describe the foot as functionally lost rather than merely painful or treatment-resistant.
Medical evidence
Plantar Fasciitis DBQ or C&P exam findings; Specialist or orthopedic records describing loss of use; Functional capacity or gait evaluation records
Functional impact examples
Loss of use of the foot can substantially affect walking, standing, and weight-bearing in ways beyond a treatment-resistant no-relief finding.; Assistive devices or significant gait changes may be documented at this level.
Common misconceptions
Severe pain alone is not the same as actual loss of use of the foot.; A no-relief treatment history at the 20% or 30% level does not by itself establish loss of use.
Related topics
loss of use; actual loss of use of the foot
Source context
38 CFR 4.71a; 5269; Current educational Plantar Fasciitis guide; deterministic assessment support is not active.

Learn

Understand the details behind the criteria

Use these short guides to connect published terms with the records and observations that may clarify them.

Otherwise unilateral or bilateral plantar fasciitis

DC 5269 uses a baseline 10 percent level for plantar fasciitis that does not meet the no-relief or loss-of-use findings described elsewhere in the schedule.

  • This baseline level applies whether plantar fasciitis affects one foot or both feet, as long as no higher pathway is documented.
  • It does not require a documented treatment-history finding of no relief.
  • It is distinct from the 20% and 30% levels, which require documented no relief from both nonsurgical and surgical treatment.
  • It is distinct from the 40% level, which requires actual loss of use of the foot.

Records to review: Plantar Fasciitis DBQ; diagnosis and treatment records.

No relief from both nonsurgical and surgical treatment

DC 5269 separates the no-relief finding into a 20 percent unilateral level and a 30 percent bilateral level.

  • Both nonsurgical treatment and surgical treatment must be documented as tried.
  • The record must document that neither treatment type provided relief.
  • Unilateral no-relief plantar fasciitis is rated at 20 percent.
  • Bilateral no-relief plantar fasciitis is rated at 30 percent.
  • Trying only one treatment type, without the other, does not meet this two-part requirement.
  • The 30 percent bilateral tier is DC 5269's own single, built-in bilateral finding -- it is not the sum of two 20 percent unilateral ratings combined under 38 CFR 4.25, and rating each foot separately at 20 percent and combining them would double-count the same bilateral finding in violation of the anti-pyramiding rule (38 CFR 4.14).

Records to review: nonsurgical treatment records; operative or surgical treatment records; follow-up records documenting continued symptoms.

Actual loss of use of the foot

DC 5269 provides its highest documented level, 40 percent, for actual loss of use of the foot with plantar fasciitis.

  • Actual loss of use is a specific clinical finding, not simply severe or persistent pain.
  • This level is distinct from the no-relief treatment-history findings rated at 20 percent and 30 percent.
  • Functional capacity, gait, and specialist records typically document this finding rather than symptom descriptions alone.

Records to review: specialist or orthopedic records describing loss of use; functional capacity or gait evaluation records.

Evidence

Evidence that may clarify the published criteria

Plantar Fasciitis DBQ

The DBQ organizes diagnosis, affected side, treatment history, and functional impact for plantar fasciitis.

A DBQ is useful context, but RatingScope does not require uploads and this hub does not accept records.

Diagnosis and treatment records

Treatment notes can show the current condition, course over time, therapy, medication, brace use, and clinician observations.

A diagnosis alone does not identify which percentage pathway applies.

Nonsurgical treatment records

Records of nonsurgical treatment such as orthotics, injections, or physical therapy help document one half of the no-relief requirement.

Nonsurgical treatment alone does not satisfy the no-relief requirement without documented surgical treatment.

Surgical treatment records

Operative and follow-up records help document the surgical half of the no-relief requirement, or a documented recommendation for surgery.

A general surgery history is not the same as a documented plantar fasciitis surgical treatment or recommendation.

Imaging where applicable

Imaging may help support a diagnosis or document structural findings related to plantar fasciitis.

Imaging severity should not be substituted for a route-specific CFR finding.

Personal and firsthand lay evidence

Plain descriptions can explain walking, standing, and activity impact related to plantar fasciitis.

Lay evidence can describe observed impact, but it should not invent medical measurements or diagnoses.

Functional-loss descriptions

Records describing pain, standing, or walking limits help connect symptoms to function.

Functional loss is context; it does not let RatingScope infer absent CFR findings.

Official VA Forms & DBQs

Downloadable DBQs & Supporting Claim Forms

Take the public DBQ to your private physician or review it prior to your C&P examination.

Terminology

Plain-English terms

Plantar fasciitis

A foot condition affecting the tissue along the sole of the foot, often causing heel or arch pain.

DC 5269 rates plantar fasciitis by affected side and treatment history rather than by joint range of motion.

DBQ diagnosis section

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Unilateral plantar fasciitis

The condition affects only one foot.

DC 5269 rates unilateral no-relief plantar fasciitis at 20 percent, distinct from the bilateral 30 percent level.

DBQ affected-side section

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Bilateral plantar fasciitis

The condition affects both feet.

DC 5269 rates bilateral no-relief plantar fasciitis at 30 percent, distinct from the unilateral 20 percent level.

DBQ affected-side section

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No relief from treatment

Treatment was tried on both fronts and the condition did not get better.

DC 5269 requires this two-part no-relief finding for the 20 percent and 30 percent levels.

nonsurgical treatment records; surgical treatment records

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Actual loss of use of the foot

The foot is functionally lost, not just painful or treatment-resistant.

DC 5269 rates this finding at 40 percent, the highest documented level in this hub.

specialist or orthopedic records; functional capacity or gait evaluation records

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TDIU

Even if the schedular rating for Plantar Fasciitis does not reach 100 percent, TDIU may still provide a pathway to compensation at the 100 percent rate, based on unemployability from this and/or other service-connected disabilities combined.

A lower schedular percentage does not by itself foreclose TDIU eligibility -- this hub computes only the schedular percentage for this specific condition and does not determine TDIU eligibility.

Employment history; vocational impact documentation; occupational impairment

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Common Questions

Questions veterans commonly ask

Why does plantar fasciitis have separate unilateral and bilateral no-relief levels?

DC 5269 rates unilateral no-relief plantar fasciitis at 20 percent and bilateral no-relief plantar fasciitis at 30 percent. Both require documented no relief from both nonsurgical and surgical treatment; only the affected side differs.

Does trying only nonsurgical treatment qualify for the no-relief levels?

No. DC 5269 requires that both nonsurgical and surgical treatment were tried and produced no relief before the 20 percent or 30 percent level applies.

What happens if surgery is recommended but I am not a surgical candidate?

DC 5269 directs this scenario to be evaluated under the 20 percent (unilateral) or 30 percent (bilateral) no-relief criteria as applicable, rather than assigning it a separate percentage of its own.

Does pain alone establish actual loss of use of the foot?

No. Actual loss of use is a specific clinical finding distinct from pain or a treatment-resistant course. The 40 percent level requires this specific finding, not just severe symptoms.

Does dominant or nondominant side matter for plantar fasciitis?

No. Unlike several upper-extremity guides, the plantar fasciitis schedule does not use different percentages for a dominant versus nondominant side.

Can both feet be evaluated separately?

DC 5269 already accounts for bilateral involvement through its own bilateral pathway rather than combining two separate single-foot evaluations. Overlapping same-condition manifestations still have to respect VA rules against pyramiding.

Is this an active RatingScope assessment?

No. This Plantar Fasciitis hub is educational only. Do not enter plantar fasciitis findings into another condition's assessment.

If my schedular rating for Plantar Fasciitis is below 100%, can I still be compensated at the 100% rate?

Possibly, through TDIU (Total Disability rating based on Individual Unemployability, 38 CFR 4.16) -- a separate pathway to 100 percent compensation based on unemployability, from this and/or other service-connected disabilities combined, independent of whether the schedular rating itself reaches 100 percent. This hub computes only the schedular percentage and does not determine TDIU eligibility.

What separates the 10% rating from adjacent levels?

Higher levels require documentation that both nonsurgical and surgical treatment produced no relief, or that actual loss of use of the foot is present, rather than a further degree of this baseline finding.

What separates the 20% rating from adjacent levels?

The bilateral version of this same no-relief finding moves to the 30% level instead. Actual loss of use of the foot moves to the 40% level.

What separates the 30% rating from adjacent levels?

The unilateral version of this same no-relief finding is the 20% level instead. Actual loss of use of the foot moves to the 40% level.

What separates the 40% rating from adjacent levels?

This is the highest documented level in this hub. The no-relief unilateral and bilateral pathways describe persistent symptoms after treatment, which is a different finding from actual loss of use.

Related Conditions

Continue learning through connected topics

Ankle

Ankle findings are nearby but use separate ankylosis and limitation-of-motion criteria from plantar fasciitis.

Radiculopathy

Radiating pain, numbness, weakness, or reflex changes may require nerve-route context instead of plantar fasciitis criteria.

Claims Process

Claims Process explains C&P exams, evidence categories, decision letters, and claim-stage context.

Combined Ratings

If more than one condition is involved, combined-rating math is educational context and does not simply add percentages.

Ready when you are

Compare documented plantar fasciitis findings

Use laterality, treatment-history, and loss-of-use documentation already in your records. Do not upload records or enter Social Security numbers, claim numbers, full dates of birth, or other sensitive identifiers. RatingScope does not infer missing medical findings or predict a VA decision.

Informational guidance only. RatingScope does not predict, decide, or guarantee VA outcomes.

Compare my Plantar Fasciitis records

Learn More

Continue Understanding

RatingScope resource

Claims Process - C&P exams

Educational context for what a C&P exam is and how exam evidence is organized.

Open Claims Process - C&P exams

RatingScope resource

Claims Process - Evidence Center

Educational context for evidence categories such as DBQs, treatment records, imaging, and lay statements.

Open Claims Process - Evidence Center

RatingScope resource

Ankle guide

Nearby lower-extremity guidance that remains separate from plantar fasciitis criteria.

Open Ankle guide

Secondary conditions

Conditions commonly connected to Plantar Fasciitis

No commonly documented secondary connections are tracked for Plantar Fasciitis yet.

Educational Guides & Evidence Resources

In-depth analysis of DBQ forms, medical evidence thresholds, and rating schedules for Plantar Fasciitis.

How VA Rates Plantar Fasciitis: DC 5269 Treatment and Surgery Criteria

Understand how the VA evaluates plantar fasciitis under 38 CFR 4.71a (DC 5269) based on conservative care, surgical treatment, and bilateral symptoms.

Plantar Fasciitis vs. Flatfoot VA Disability Rating: DC 5269 vs. DC 5276

Compare VA disability rating criteria for plantar fasciitis (DC 5269) and flatfoot / pes planus (DC 5276), anti-pyramiding rules, and separate rating requirements.

Plantar Fasciitis and Flatfoot Evidence Guide: Podiatry Records and DBQs

Learn what medical evidence, podiatry records, conservative treatment histories, and DBQ findings are needed for VA plantar fasciitis and flatfoot claims.

How VA Rates Flatfoot (Pes Planus): DC 5276 Severity and Arch Support Criteria

Learn how the VA evaluates flatfoot (pes planus) under 38 CFR 4.71a (DC 5276) across mild, moderate, severe, and pronounced deformity tiers.

How VA Rates Ankle Pain: DC 5270-5274 Motion and Instability Criteria

Learn how the VA evaluates ankle pain, limited motion, and joint instability under 38 CFR 4.71a using Diagnostic Codes 5270 through 5274.

Foot and Ankle C&P Exam Guide: DBQs, Range of Motion, and Functional Loss

Prepare for your VA foot and ankle C&P exam with this complete guide to Foot and Ankle DBQs, goniometer range of motion, and functional loss standards.

Keep going

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VA Math & Combined Ratings

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Evidence Center

Understand common evidence categories and what they can clarify without treating them as a checklist.

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