Pes planus caused or aggravated by service

[11bjohnny]

Hi all, 

I am putting together a claim for pes planus.

I am currently rated for my right ankle, right hip, and left knee; all direct service connection not secondary.

My entry and exit physicals both have pes planus marked, but they were mild upon entry and moderate when I got out, both mentioned as asymptomatic.

I was infantry so lots of rucking and foot patrols, so I am sure that played a role in my arches getting flatter...I did buy over the counter insoles while I was in and I was just recently issued insoles by the VA.

My question is, with the only mention in my medical records being my physicals and the arches being worse at the end, is it better to claim here for a direct cause by service, or aggravated by service?

 

Thank you in advance!

[Berta]

I have pes planus with severe pronation - I am a civilian but my podiatrist attributes it to many jobs I have had that involved working on concrete.

Often Pes planus, as well as other arch conditions , can be the cause of back, knee, and hip problems.

I keep my weight at 126-129 as that can be a big factor in foot problems.

I get custom orthonics , every 2-3 years, but  neither Medicare or CHAMPVA will pay for but it is worth it to me.

They used to cost my almost 500 or more but my new podiatrist uses a better outfit and they are only  about 350.

I agree that you would need a strong IME from a Podiatrist.

They would need your SMRs and any other treatment records you have since service.

My neighbor had two TKRs and he noticed one leg was longer than the other. His VA PCP told him everyone has one leg longer than the other. It was affecting his balance alot so they finally gave him orthos- and I bust out laughing when I saw them- they were the cheapest kind of orthotics you can get. He said they did seem to help however. I showed him mine and he saw a big difference in them.Then again his only had to build up one foot. Mine have to build up both of my arches.

Foot problems can also cause callouses and Medicare pays for pedicures for that, done my my Podiatrist.Both my podiatrists are also foot surgeons.

 

Edited July 22, 2019 by Berta

[11bjohnny]

Thank you all for all the replies!

I got out by MEB due to a broken ankle (likely due to too much rucking while training myself for Ranger School...), I am more than a year out. 

Thanks for the advice Bronco! I am planning to write a lay statement detailing the extensive rucking, foot patrols in Iraq, and purchasing of insoles and see where it goes. 

I have copies of my exams, but dont have a copy of my C-file. Should I reference the date of the exit exam at all in the claim, or again just leave it with less is more and not try to do the specialist's job.