Plantar Fasciitis Vs Heel Spurs

[alphahec]

I was rated 0% for heel spurs of right foot, but my service record also stated that I had plantar fasciitis. Should I have my claim amended to include the plantar faciitis?

[john999]

They are the same thing and I feel for you since I have the same problem. My feet hurt like hell. My newest podiatrist wants to do surgery to cut the PF. This is a last resort since it can go wrong. For some reason the medical community thinks PF is just a minor ailment so they give 10% disability. Some have it so bad they cannot walk 100 feet. It is an overlooked condition that has no simple cure.

[121212]

alphahec I think you should file a claim on plantar fasciitis it not the same as heel spurs, I have them both also, the plantar fasciitis can cause heel spurs, but you can have heel spurs with out having plantar fasciitis and it a different claim and if you get a % for the plantar fasciitis you would be doing better than the 0 % they gave you. I would also NOD the heel spurs and have them look at it again also see if the Doc will get you a MRI on the foot it will tell you what is really wrong with the foot. I was told all I had was a heel spur on my both feet and my Doc did a MRI and found I had heel spurs, had ligaments gone in both ankles, the Achilles in both ankle had torn a little and had repaired them self and I had plantar fasciitis in both feet, all I say is it never hurt to ask all they can say is no and they have to tell you why or I hope they would.

Ken

[alphahec]

Thanks, I filed a NOD for heel spurs and have had my claim amended for plantar fasciitis, it seems that they keep trying to lowball me in order to keep my service-connection at 0%. Thanks again guys!

[tagandbag]

Alphahec,

I have commented on this in another post, but cant find it. P/F and H/S are a different. I had PF and it was quite painful, had to walk with crutches for a while then a cane. It took a series of steroid shots and special orthotics to get rid of it, after a year or so, but it still rears it's ugly head now and then, except in both feet now. 121212, is correct you can have one or both problems at the same time. If you have both and its service connected calim for both. You may want to spend the money and go to a pvt. foot specialist and see what they say about your condition.

t&b

[john999]

Heel spurs are not what makes your feet hurt. Your feet hurt because of PF. The spurs grow because the PF is being torn away from the bone due to strain on the fascia. Does the VA really give separate ratings for heel spurs and PF? I have had PF for years and my private doctors never do operations to remove heel spurs, but they do operate to cut fascia sometimes to relieve strain. I would not have surgery done for either condition unless I was desparate. I have never heard of people having painful heel spurs without having PF. The PF is attatched to your heel. When it tears away from the heelbone you get the spurs but they are a symptom of PF not a cause. You ought to get at least 10% for the PF.

[12R3G]

PF occurs when the long fibrous plantar fascia ligament along the bottom of the foot develops tears in the tissue resulting in pain, usually felt at the heel bone. PF can be the cause of heel spurs--calcium deposits on the bone itself. The heel spur can cause pain by pushing into the soft ligament/tissue that surrounds the heel bone.

so while they are interconnected and related, they are two seperate issues--one dealing with bone, the other dealing with soft-tissue. File for PF -- pain and limited ROM. If your SMR shows PF, then the VA should directly connect, otherwise you'll have to go for a secondary to heel spurs connection which will probably mean an IME to connect the dots.

Good luck

chuck