Plantar fasciitis is a painful condition of the heel and arch caused by inflammation of the plantar fascia. In veterans, it is directly linked to the high-impact physical training and load carriage demands of military service.
Persistent plantar fasciitis can become a chronic, disabling condition, particularly in veterans who can no longer modify their physical activity to allow recovery. It is a PAMT-eligible condition.
Why Plantar Fasciitis is common in the ADF
Running long distances in military boots, load-bearing marches, and physical training on hard surfaces are the primary causes of plantar fasciitis in ADF veterans. The condition is particularly common in infantry and ground-based combat units.
Medical access
Provisional Access to Medical Treatment (PAMT)
Plantar Fasciitis is on the PAMT list. This means you can access funded medical treatment while your DVA claim is being assessed — you do not need to wait for a liability decision to start treatment.
Physiotherapy and podiatry treatment
Custom orthotics provision
Specialist consultations
Deadline: PAMT applications for Plantar Fasciitis must be lodged by 30 June 2026. After this date, PAMT will no longer be available as the VETS Act takes effect. Do not wait.
Statement of Principles — in plain English
DVA assesses your claim against a Statement of Principles (SoP). Here are the key factors that most commonly apply to Plantar Fasciitis claims, translated from the legal language.
Prolonged weight-bearing activities including running and marching
At least 1,000 hours of weight-bearing activities within a 5-year period before onset
Load carriage on hard surfaces
Regular load-bearing marches on hard surfaces over an extended service period
Conditions that commonly develop alongside
Veterans with Plantar Fasciitis often develop related conditions that may also be claimable. These are worth assessing at the same time as your primary claim.
What to expect for impairment points
Plantar fasciitis impairment is assessed based on pain levels, functional limitation, and treatment response. Chronic plantar fasciitis that has not responded to treatment and significantly limits walking and standing attracts more impairment points.
Use the DVA PI Points CalculatorWhat a strong Plantar Fasciitis claim looks like
Podiatrist or orthopaedic report confirming diagnosis and chronicity
Imaging (X-ray or ultrasound) showing heel spur or fascial thickening
Service records establishing physical training demands
Treatment history showing failure of conservative management
DVA currently takes 3–6 months to decide most initial liability claims. Complex or multi-condition claims can take longer. Lodging a complete, decision-ready claim upfront reduces back-and-forth.
Processing times guideCommon questions about Plantar Fasciitis claims
Ready to claim Plantar Fasciitis?
Book a free consultation and we'll walk you through whether your condition meets the SoP factors, what evidence you need, and how to build a decision-ready claim.
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