Secondary Conditions to Flat Feet (Pes Planus) for VA Disability
CCK Law: Our Vital Role in Veterans Law
Service-connected flat feet (pes planus) can get in the way of a veteran’s ability to work, do basic activities, and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Flat feet can also lead to several secondary conditions, for which veterans can also be compensated by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
This article will guide you through common secondary conditions to pes planus/flat feet so you can determine whether to file a claim with VA.
Key points of this article include:
- A secondary service-connected condition is one that develops because of an already service-connected condition. In other words, if a veteran’s service-connected flat feet cause another disability to arise, that veteran may be able to gain compensation for that second disability, as well.
- Pes planus increases the chances of a veteran suffering damage to their musculoskeletal system, which means there are several secondary conditions linked to the disorder.
- Depending on how severe a veteran’s pes planus diagnosis is, they may be eligible for additional payments through Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) or Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU).
What Is Flat Feet (Pes Planus)?
Pes planus is a common foot deformity in which the arch of the veteran’s foot is flattened to the point where it touches the ground or nearly touches the ground. Ligaments and tendons from the lower leg and the foot form the arches; however, when these tendons do not pull properly, the foot has little or no arch, resulting in flat feet.
Most of the time, those with flat feet do not experience severe symptoms, and treatment is not always necessary. However, those with more severe cases of flat feet may experience symptoms, including:
- Feet tiring out easily
- Aches or pains in the areas of the arches or heels
- Foot swelling
- Difficulty performing certain foot movements, such as standing on one’s toes
- Leg and back pain
For veterans experiencing symptoms of flat feet, it is important to seek out medical attention, as having the condition may increase the risk of injury or pain to the musculoskeletal system, particularly the lower limbs and lumbar spine. Symptoms of flat feet can vary greatly from case to case.
Relationship Between Flat Feet (Pes Planus) and Military Service
Often, a veteran’s service can cause them to develop flat feet or see their preexisting pes planus worsen as a result of service (“aggravation”). Common causes and risk factors for developing or aggravating flat feet include the following:
- A foot abnormality present since birth
- Torn or stretched tendons
- Nerve damage, such as from peripheral neuropathy
- Inflammation or damage to the posterior tibial tendon, which runs from the lower leg, down to the ankle, and to the middle of the arch of the foot
- Obesity
- Dislocated or broken bones in the legs or feet
- Health conditions (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis)
- Frequent high-impact physical activity, such as military training
How to Establish Service Connection for Flat Feet
To establish service connection for pes planus on a direct basis, veterans must establish three elements:
- (1) a current diagnosis of pes planus;
- (2) evidence of an in-service event, injury, or illness; and
- (3) a medical nexus linking the diagnosed pes planus to the in-service occurrence.
If the veteran’s pes planus existed prior to service, service connection is still possible for any amount that the condition was aggravated, or worsened beyond its natural progression, by military service. Here, evidence showing the progression of the condition is very important.
Secondary Service Connection and Flat Feet
If a veteran is granted service connection for flat feet, they may also be able to pursue secondary service connection for any additional health problems that develop because of their flat feet.
To prove secondary service connection for a condition linked to flat feet, a veteran generally needs to provide:
- A current medical diagnosis of a condition secondary to flat feet; and
- Medical evidence or a nexus opinion showing how the flat feet contributed to or caused the additional disability
For example, say a veteran is service connected for flat feet. Over time, the awkward gait caused by their flat feet leads to the veteran developing hallux valgus, or bunions. Here, the veteran’s bunions may warrant a finding of secondary service connection if medical evidence determines that the bunions are a result of their service-connected flat feet.
What Are Other Conditions Often Caused by Flat Feet Among Veterans?
Service-connected pes planus can cause new conditions that are also eligible for VA compensation via secondary service connection: e.g., degenerative disc disease; Achilles tendonitis; plantar fasciitis; hallux valgus (bunions); arthritis of the foot; ankle instability; hip, back, or knee pain; shin splints; sciatica; and mental disorders.
Degenerative Disc Disease Secondary to Flat Feet
Degenerative disc disease (DDD) is a condition that occurs in the lower back or neck. It is often accompanied by varying levels of pain and can also result in numbness and tingling in the upper or lower extremities in some cases.
Pes planus may cause veterans to walk differently or change their gait, resulting in additional pressure on the spinal discs. This additional pressure may cause the discs to deteriorate more quickly, thereby causing DDD.
Achilles Tendonitis Secondary to Flat Feet
Achilles tendonitis is a condition where the Achilles tendon becomes injured or inflamed due to overuse or repeated strain. It often leads to pain in the calf or heel, typically after exercise or other physical activity.
Veterans suffering from flat feet are more likely to develop Achilles tendonitis because the lack of an arch in the foot leads to the Achilles tendon having to work harder to stabilize the foot and counteract inward rolling. Over time, this can lead veterans to injure their Achilles tendon.
Plantar Fasciitis Secondary to Flat Feet
Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain. It involves inflammation of the plantar fascia, a thick band of tissue that runs across the bottom of the foot and connects the heel bone to the toes. Kevin Medeiros, a Reviewing Attorney at CCK Law, describes the specifics of the condition:
“The plantar fascia acts as a shock absorber of sorts and supports the arch of the foot. When these tissues are overstretched, tears can occur. Inflammation can also occur by repetitive stretching and tearing. The tissues on the bottom of the feet can then become painful and inflamed.”
Because pes planus can cause more pressure to be put on a veteran’s heel, it is often a source of damage or strain to the plantar fascia, leading to plantar fasciitis.
Hallux Valgus (Bunions) Secondary to Flat Feet
Hallux valgus, also known as a bunion, is a foot condition where the big toe is pushed out of alignment and bends at an awkward angle toward the other toes on the foot. This causes a bony growth—the bunion—to develop at the base of the toe, which can lead to pain, redness, and swelling.
When a veteran suffers from flat feet, their foot often rolls inward due to the lack of a supporting arch. This rolling puts additional pressure on the joints of the big toe, increasing the likelihood of developing hallux valgus.
Arthritis of the Foot Secondary to Flat Feet
Arthritis of the foot is inflammation of one of the joints in the foot. It can cause pain and stiffness in any joint it affects. Typically, it is most common in the small joints of the foot.
Changes to a veteran’s gait due to pes planus can sometimes be the cause of arthritis in the foot. Due to their changed gait, the veteran might end up putting an unnatural amount of pressure on particular joints in the foot, leading to arthritis developing.
Ankle Instability Secondary to Flat Feet
Ankle instability is a condition of the foot where the ankle often rolls, twists, or otherwise gives out more easily, leading to pain, swelling, and repeated sprains. This is often due to repeated injury to the ligaments of the ankle, which can then go on to heal incorrectly, leading to a lack of support for the ankle.
Veterans suffering from pes planus have a higher risk of developing ankle instability. This is because the lack of an arch in the foot can lead to misalignment of the foot bones, which ends up putting additional pressure on the ligaments of the ankle and leading to repeated injury.
Hip, Back, or Knee Pain Secondary to Flat Feet
Chronic hip, back, and knee pain are more likely to occur among veterans with flat feet. This is because flat feet can lead a veteran to change their gait to account for their fallen arch, leading to additional stress being placed on other joints in the musculoskeletal system.
One study was conducted to examine the association between pes planus and risk of anterior knee pain and intermittent low back pain, respectively. Results indicated that the prevalence of intermittent low back pain was 5% in mild pes planus groups, while it was 10% in moderate and severe pes planus groups. The prevalence of anterior knee pain was 4% in mile pes planus groups, while it was 7% in the moderate and severe pes planus groups.
Shin Splints Secondary to Flat Feet
Shin splints, also known as medial tibial stress syndrome, are a condition characterized by pain, damage, and inflammation to the shin bone and its surrounding muscles and tissue. Shin splints are often caused by excessive exercise, which can lead to overuse of, or repeated pressure being applied to, the shin bone and surrounding tissues. In some cases, the shin bone can even suffer a microfracture if it is not allowed the time to heal.
Veterans with flat feet are at a higher risk of developing shin splints. This is because the rolling of the feet caused by pes planus can lead to increased pressure on the shin bone when running or exercising, possibly causing shin splints to develop.
Sciatica Secondary to Flat Feet
Sciatica is a condition that frequently leads to pain, numbness, and tingling in the legs and lower back. As Amy Odom, a Partner at CCK Law, explains:
“Sciatica is a nerve condition in which pain radiates along the path of the sciatic nerve, traveling from the lower back down through the legs. It happens when the sciatic nerve is compressed or pinched, usually by a herniated disc in the spine or the overgrowth of bone on the vertebrae.”
The awkward gait caused by pes planus often leads to increased pressure on other parts of the musculoskeletal system, including the discs in the back. These discs can sometimes compress the sciatic nerve, leading to sciatica.
Mental Disorders Secondary to Flat Feet
Pes planus can lead to significant physical impairment and pain, potentially barring veterans from exercise, hobbies, social activities, or even taking part in some of the common tasks associated with daily living.
Because of this, it is not unusual for veterans to develop mental disorders as a result of their flat feet. This can include conditions like anxiety or depression, since veterans may feel isolated or that they are not as physically capable as they were in the past.
Other Conditions Secondary to Pes Planus
There are several other secondary conditions to pes planus that may result from a veteran developing the disorder. These include:
- Calluses – a callus is an area of thickened skin that forms as a response to repeated friction, pressure, or other irritation. Calluses can be caused by abnormal gait resulting from pes planus.
- Toe deformities – flat feet may cause veterans to bear weight in a way that puts undue strain upon the toes, eventually causing deformities like hammer toe or mallet toe.
Importantly, the list included above is non-exhaustive, meaning there could be additional secondary conditions that result from pes planus. If you believe your current condition was caused by your service-connected pes planus, feel free to file a claim with VA.
VA Compensation for Secondary Conditions to Pes Planus
In general, the higher the rating VA assigns for a condition, the larger the monthly payment will be. The table below shows the compensation levels for 2025 based on disability rating.
As of 2026, the VA disability rate benefit amounts are as follows:
- 0 percent disability rating: $0.00 per month
- 10 percent disability rating: $180.42 per month
- 20 percent disability rating: $356.66 per month
- 30 percent disability rating: $552.47 per month
- 40 percent disability rating: $795.84 per month
- 50 percent disability rating: $1,132.90 per month
- 60 percent disability rating: $1,435.02 per month
- 70 percent disability rating: $1,808.45 per month
- 80 percent disability rating: $2,102.15 per month
- 90 percent disability rating: $2,362.30 per month
- 100 percent disability rating: $3,938.58 per month
Notably, veterans who have qualifying dependents—such as a spouse or children—may also receive extra monthly payments, which can increase their total compensation amount.
Special Monthly Compensation for Pes Planus and Secondary Conditions
Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) is an additional VA benefit for veterans living with severe disabilities or complicated medical conditions. It provides higher monthly payments intended to cover needs that regular disability compensation might not fully meet.
In some cases, secondary conditions to pes planus can lead to veterans becoming seriously disabled. When symptoms reach a severe level, VA may grant extra compensation through SMC to account for the added impairment.
Another way veterans may qualify for SMC with foot conditions is through “loss of use.” VA defines loss of use as a situation where the remaining function of a limb is no better than if the limb had been amputated and replaced with a prosthesis. Importantly, amputation itself is not necessary for this designation. VA bases these determinations on how much function is left in the extremity, such as the hands or feet.
For foot-related claims, VA looks specifically at whether the veteran can perform essential actions like balance and propulsion. If VA concludes that one or both feet no longer provide functional use, the veteran may be entitled to SMC.
Did VA Deny Your Claim on Secondary Conditions to Pes Planus? Call CCK Law
VA makes mistakes.
If VA denied or underrated your claim for secondary conditions to pes planus, Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick may be able to help. The VA-accredited attorneys at CCK Law have represented more than 36,000 veterans or dependents before VA. Our experience and resources can give you the best chance of getting all the benefits you are entitled to by law.
Call CCK Law at (800) 544-9144 or contact us online for a free case evaluation.
