Member Question: Can Someone Explain to Me the VA Bilateral Factor?
How does the bilateral factor affect such issues as pes planus and plantar fasciitis?
If you have pronounced bilateral pes planus, they give you 50%. Does a Bilateral Factor apply or is it already included in the 50% award? The same question with the new rating criteria for plantar fasciitis; when it affects both feet and is not responsive to treatment, they give you 30%.
So if I understand it correctly, you can have bilateral pes planus and get just a straight 50%, no Bilateral Factor added. The same if you have bilateral plantar fasciitis. The only time you would then get a Bilateral Factor is if you have BOTH bilateral pes planus and bilateral plantar fasciitis. Then it would go in order of severity, in this case, 50% for the pes planus + 30% for plantar fasciitis = VA math + 10% Bilateral Factor = Total disability rating.
Further Reading
- The Bilateral Factor & Your VA Disability Rating – Hill & Ponton, P.A. (hillandponton.com)
- eCFR :: 38 CFR 4.26 — Bilateral factor.
- Federal Register:: Exceptions to Applying the Bilateral Factor in VA Disability Calculations
