VA Flat Feet (Pes Planus) Claim Guide
How the VA rates flat feet (pes planus), the entrance-exam evidence that decides most claims, and the secondary conditions that often come with it.
Pes planus is rated 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, or 50% under diagnostic code 5276. Bilateral severe cases can reach 50%. Service connection often relies on comparing your entrance exam to service and post-service records to show aggravation beyond natural progression.
Flat feet claims hinge on one specific question: was the condition noted at entrance, and if so, did it worsen beyond natural progression during service? Answering that correctly determines whether your claim is a straightforward win or an uphill fight.
Rating Levels Under DC 5276
- 0% — mild symptoms, relieved by built-up shoe or arch support
- 10% — moderate, unilateral or bilateral with pain on manipulation and use
- 20–30% — severe, marked deformity with pain, swelling, and characteristic callosities
- 50% — pronounced bilateral with extreme tenderness and marked pronation not improved by orthopedic devices
Was It Noted at Entrance?
If flat feet were noted on your entrance physical, the VA presumes the condition pre-existed service — which means your claim needs to show aggravation beyond natural progression, not new onset. If it wasn't noted at entrance, the presumption of soundness generally applies, and you're pursuing a more standard direct service connection claim instead.
Developed knee or back pain from years of altered gait?
Learn About Secondary ConditionsEvidence to Gather
- Entrance physical exam (DD Form 2807 or equivalent)
- Service treatment records documenting foot pain or treatment during service
- Current foot imaging and podiatry records
- Statements describing pain progression and functional limitation
- A nexus opinion addressing aggravation if the condition was noted at entrance
Common Secondary Conditions
Flat feet frequently cause altered gait mechanics that lead to secondary knee, hip, and back conditions over time. If you're already service-connected for pes planus and have developed pain in these areas, it's worth discussing a secondary claim with your provider — a gait analysis is often the key piece of evidence.
Bilateral vs. Unilateral Claims
Most veterans with flat feet have the condition in both feet, since it's typically structural rather than injury-specific — but each foot is documented and evaluated on its own merits within the bilateral rating criteria. If only one foot is symptomatic, it's still worth having both examined, since asymmetric wear patterns sometimes reveal a second, less obvious problem.
Frequently asked questions
Conclusion
Compare your entrance exam to service records first — aggravation is the most common path to a rating, and it's a very different claim than arguing the condition started in service. Educational only. Not legal advice.
Developed knee or back pain from years of altered gait?
Learn About Secondary Conditions