Update: Received decision February 26th on my pes planus which was previously 10 percent, filled for increase along with secondary claim for bilateral plantar fasciitis. Increased to 50 percent effective May last year....Also received increase from 0 to 20 percent for hemorrhoids (I submitted for an increase along with secondary claim for incontinence.) While these increases took me from 80-90 percent.....The rater missed the documentation/medical records for the incontinence issue so I requested a higher level review for that as all of the records were submitted. Three days prior to me requesting a higher level review... I received a call from LHI saying that the exam I had in February, 2021 had to be "Re-Done" because the codes under the VSARD changed effective 7 February and they would solely be looking at my Flat Feet/Plantar fasciitis issue to correct the coding issue.. (the exam will be taking place at a "LHI Mobile Clinic in the parking lot of a American Legion office? (no problem I will be there:) A re-exam after one month sounds pretty strange to me, and in my reading of the new VASRDs for foot conditions on the VA site comparing them to the description in my award letter I still would be rated at 50 percent. I found another article that said they would be rating under both the old and the new criteria and awarding the veteran the higher of the two. (If this is the case why are they doing re-exams?) Even if for some strange reason they decide to take it down to 10 percent from my original claim years ago this wont change my overall rating....
1. Evaluation of pes planus with bilateral plantar fasciitis, (previously claimed as fallen arches) Currently evaluated at 10 percent
We have assigned a 50% evaluation for your bilateral pes planus, claimed as fallen arches based on
(Left & Right on all below)
Extreme tenderness of plantar surfaces of the feet
Marked Pronation
Symptoms not improved by orthopedic shoe or appliances
Characteristic Callosities
Indication of swelling on use
inward bowing of the tendo Achilles
Objective evidence of marked deformity
Pain on Manipulation
Pain on use of the feet
Painful motion
This is the highest scheduler evaluation allowed under the law for flatfoot, acquired. (38 CFR 4.57, 38 CFR 4.71a)
Has this happened to anyone else?