Plantar fasciitis and arthritis seperate or pyramid?

[Carl the Engineer]

Hello,

Anyone know if (same foot) plantar fasciitis and arthritis seperate or if it would be pyramiding?

Looks like I may be service connected (secondary) for arthritis for my right foot.  Which is usually 10%.  I am already 10% for plantar fasciitis.

Doing some research, but havent found it yet,

Thanks,

Hamslice

[broncovet]

My first thought about persuing SC and compensation for both plantar fasciatis and arthritis is that you are going down a rabbit hole to nowhere.  However, it is possible you have both and different symptoms for each.  Its all about "symptoms".  You first get "service connected" for a malady, but your compensation is about symptoms.  

Assuming you are/can get service connected for arthritis/plantar fasciatis, it MAY not be easy to differentiate between the symptoms, that is, are they cause from plantar fasciatis, or arthritis?  

Its the same with mental disorders.  If you are diagnosed with 'bi polar" and "depression", it wont be easy to distinguish which of these causes your occupational impairment, but if you are working full time, then you wont be getting 100%, as both of these mental health disorders are rated on the same schedule, with 100% being total occupational impairment.  

With arthritis/plantar fasciatis, you will only get compensated for pain in your foot for one of these, probably.  

I recommend you apply for both of these, if, indeed you have been diagnosed with both.  Let the doctors and the rating specialists "sort out", for example, the loss of range of motion to your foot belongs in.  Its been my experience that plantar fasciatis is not permanent, and symptoms that resolve themselves are not compensable, while arthritis rarely goes away.  (I have both, also.)  

As for any disorder you need the "big 3" Caluza triangle of current diagnosis, event in service or aggravation, and nexus to win service connection.  

[Carl the Engineer]

broncovet,

I am already SC'd for plantar fasciitis for pain at 10%.  I filed a claim for and increase because I now get injections and wear hard shoe inserts, orthodics, which I did not when I got my initial 10%,

"With arthritis/plantar fasciitis, you will only get compensated for pain in your foot for one of these, probably."

They, the VA after my "initial review" asked the C&P examiner to write a addendum about the arthritis in the right foot, which she did, favorably, "at least as likely" cause by the SC'd right foot.

My question then with a better explanation would be........

Could I be rated 10% (pain) for plantar fasciitis and 10% arthritis (x-ray) for the same foot?

Thanks,

Hamslice

 

[Carl the Engineer]

broncovet,

I screwed up as usual.

They the VA are asked for a addendum about arthritis in my right ANKLE that showed when they x-rayed my right foot.

Boy, this ought to get interesting.  I claimed increase for right foot plantar and left foot pain and left ankle stability/pain secondary to the right foot plantar. 

All three of those are in myhealthyvet as "as least as likely" and now just waiting on the rating.  But now they may be adding the right ankle.

Anyway,  just best to wait for the rating(s) and see...

Thanks, and sorry for the mix-up,

Hamslice

[broncovet]

Ham, 

  Of course, I dont know for sure, but I think the answer is YES.  Plantar is different than arthritis, and its possible or even likely to have more than one thing wrong with each individaul body part.  For example, you could have scars And pain.  Seperate symptoms could generate additional ratings for seperate conditions.  The pyramiding comes in if you have arthritic pain and plantar fasciatis pain.  You probably will get paid for only one of these.  

[Cliff757]

broncovet, hamslice,

What exactly did you do or submit to the VA to get your 10% for plantar facitiis? I have tried to claim it twice, it's documented in my SMRs, and my healthnet and  I have had several visits to the VA hospital for it but I'm still getting denied.    

[broncovet]

You need the "big 3" of current diagnosis, in service event, and nexus, along with symptoms indicative of a 10 percent rating.  Also, you need to be willing to continue appealing until VA runs out of excuses to deny.