What are the VA rating percentages for Heel Spur / Plantar Fasciitis?

Heel Spur / Plantar Fasciitis (DC 5269) is rated at 40%, 30%, 20%, 10%, 0% under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5269 (Plantar fasciitis — added by 2021-02-07 amendment for explicit rating of this previously rate-by-analogy condition). DC 5269 NOTE 1 verbatim — "With actual loss of use of the foot, rate 40 percent." (Verbatim § 4.71a DC 5269 NOTE 1.) End-stage plantar fasciitis with foot non-functional for weight-bearing.

What happens during a C&P exam for Heel Spur / 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.

← All Condition Guides

CLAIM RECON INTEL

Heel Spur / Plantar Fasciitis

Q: What rates 40% for Heel Spur / Plantar Fasciitis under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5269 (Plantar fasciitis — added by 2021-02-07 amendment for explicit rating of this previously rate-by-analogy condition)?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5269 (Plantar fasciitis — added by 2021-02-07 amendment for explicit rating of this previously rate-by-analogy condition) (DC 5269), a 40% rating for Heel Spur / Plantar Fasciitis requires: DC 5269 NOTE 1 verbatim — "With actual loss of use of the foot, rate 40 percent." (Verbatim § 4.71a DC 5269 NOTE 1.) End-stage plantar fasciitis with foot non-functional for weight-bearing.

Q: What rates 30% for Heel Spur / Plantar Fasciitis under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5269 (Plantar fasciitis — added by 2021-02-07 amendment for explicit rating of this previously rate-by-analogy condition)?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5269 (Plantar fasciitis — added by 2021-02-07 amendment for explicit rating of this previously rate-by-analogy condition) (DC 5269), a 30% rating for Heel Spur / Plantar Fasciitis requires: DC 5269 verbatim — "Plantar fasciitis: No relief from both non-surgical and surgical treatment, bilateral" = 30%. (Verbatim § 4.71a DC 5269.) Per NOTE 2: "If a veteran has been recommended for surgical intervention, but is not a surgical candidate, evaluate under the 20 percent or 30 percent criteria, whichever is applicable" — so non-candidate-for-surgery patients can reach this tier without actually having surgery.

Q: What rates 20% for Heel Spur / Plantar Fasciitis under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5269 (Plantar fasciitis — added by 2021-02-07 amendment for explicit rating of this previously rate-by-analogy condition)?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5269 (Plantar fasciitis — added by 2021-02-07 amendment for explicit rating of this previously rate-by-analogy condition) (DC 5269), a 20% rating for Heel Spur / Plantar Fasciitis requires: DC 5269 verbatim — "Plantar fasciitis: No relief from both non-surgical and surgical treatment, unilateral" = 20%. Per NOTE 2: non-candidate-for-surgery patients with severe symptoms may also rate at this tier. (Verbatim § 4.71a DC 5269.)

Q: What rates 10% for Heel Spur / Plantar Fasciitis under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5269 (Plantar fasciitis — added by 2021-02-07 amendment for explicit rating of this previously rate-by-analogy condition)?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5269 (Plantar fasciitis — added by 2021-02-07 amendment for explicit rating of this previously rate-by-analogy condition) (DC 5269), a 10% rating for Heel Spur / Plantar Fasciitis requires: DC 5269 verbatim — "Plantar fasciitis: Otherwise, unilateral or bilateral" = 10%. (Verbatim § 4.71a DC 5269.) Catch-all 10% for symptomatic plantar fasciitis not meeting the 20%/30% no-relief-from-surgery criteria.

Q: What rates 0% for Heel Spur / Plantar Fasciitis under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5269 (Plantar fasciitis — added by 2021-02-07 amendment for explicit rating of this previously rate-by-analogy condition)?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5269 (Plantar fasciitis — added by 2021-02-07 amendment for explicit rating of this previously rate-by-analogy condition) (DC 5269), a 0% rating for Heel Spur / Plantar Fasciitis requires: Heel-spur diagnosed radiographically without documented painful plantar fasciitis symptoms. Asymptomatic incidental heel spurs do not warrant compensable rating.

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

Key evidence for a Heel Spur / 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 526938 C.F.R. § 4.71a

Diagnostic Code

DC 5269

38 C.F.R. § 4.71a

Rating Range

0–40%

5 severity tiers

Source

Referenced

38 C.F.R. Part 4

Heel Spur / Plantar Fasciitis is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 5269 of 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5269 (Plantar fasciitis — added by 2021-02-07 amendment for explicit rating of this previously rate-by-analogy condition) across 5 severity tiers (40% / 30% / 20% / 10% / 0%). 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.

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

Overview

Bony calcium deposit (spur) on the calcaneus (heel bone) causing chronic heel pain with weight-bearing and walking

Rating Criteria

40%

DC 5269 NOTE 1 verbatim — "With actual loss of use of the foot, rate 40 percent." (Verbatim § 4.71a DC 5269 NOTE 1.) End-stage plantar fasciitis with foot non-functional for weight-bearing.

30%

DC 5269 verbatim — "Plantar fasciitis: No relief from both non-surgical and surgical treatment, bilateral" = 30%. (Verbatim § 4.71a DC 5269.) Per NOTE 2: "If a veteran has been recommended for surgical intervention, but is not a surgical candidate, evaluate under the 20 percent or 30 percent criteria, whichever is applicable" — so non-candidate-for-surgery patients can reach this tier without actually having surgery.

20%

DC 5269 verbatim — "Plantar fasciitis: No relief from both non-surgical and surgical treatment, unilateral" = 20%. Per NOTE 2: non-candidate-for-surgery patients with severe symptoms may also rate at this tier. (Verbatim § 4.71a DC 5269.)

10%

DC 5269 verbatim — "Plantar fasciitis: Otherwise, unilateral or bilateral" = 10%. (Verbatim § 4.71a DC 5269.) Catch-all 10% for symptomatic plantar fasciitis not meeting the 20%/30% no-relief-from-surgery criteria.

Heel-spur diagnosed radiographically without documented painful plantar fasciitis symptoms. Asymptomatic incidental heel spurs do not warrant compensable rating.

03Key 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

04C&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.

More in Musculoskeletal

Elbow Wrist Hand / Fingers Foot Conditions Coccydynia (Tailbone Pain)Osteoarthritis (DJD)Tennis Elbow (Epicondylitis)Trigger Finger All conditions →

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.
CLAIM RECON 2026

LOADING