This view dates back to the Vietnam War when flat feet would mean people could become delisted from army recruitment. The reason for this is that flat feet cause pain with prolonged standing and running. The good news is this is no longer the case for everyone with flat feet wanting to join the army.
Those with flat feet are not suited to marching - they can sustain spinal damage. The government may not care if one is killed, but cannot take the chance of anyone's seeking a disability pension.
Can you join the Army if you have flat feet? You can indeed join the army with a pronated foot type, however this wasn't always the case. There is no official history timestamp for when flat feet stopped being a disqualifying condition for army enlistment but it occurred roughly around the time the Vietnam war began.
30 Percent VA Disability Rating for Flat Feet (Bilateral)
The 30 percent rating for pes planus is applicable for bilateral flat feet with: Objective evidence of marked deformity (pronation, abduction, etc.) Pain on manipulation and use accentuated, indication of swelling on use.
When do children typically outgrow flat feet? Normally, flat feet disappear by age 6 as the feet become less flexible and the arches develop. Only about 1 or 2 out of every 10 children will continue to have flat feet into adulthood.
Flatfoot is a condition in which the arch of the foot is depressed and the sole of the foot is almost completely in contact with the ground. About 20-30% of the population generally has flat feet because their arches never formed during growth.
This condition often develops during the teen years and gets worse with age. Your feet may feel painful. It can be difficult to flex the feet up or down or move them side-to-side. Flatfoot may affect one foot or both.
Flatfeet is a common condition, also known as flatfoot, in which the arches on the inside of the feet flatten when pressure is put on them.
The short answer is yes, you can. Flat feet are no longer a disqualifying condition for military enlistment, provided that the enlistee does not show symptomatic flat feet.
For many years, flat feet precluded someone for serving in the Armed Forces. Today, with the right waiver, you can join the Navy with no issues.
Causes of Flat Feet
Veterans are at an increased risk of acquired flat feet due to the physical demands of military service. If a veteran had arch issues before joining the military, service may have aggravated the problems and caused disability later in life.
The causes of flat feet are varied. Some inherit the condition from their parents as an isolated trait, this is particularly true for children with hypermobility or “double jointed”. Others develop flat feet as part of another genetic condition. Still others develop the condition over time.
People with ADHD can join the military, but they might be asked to undergo a psychological evaluation before enlisting. The evaluation will give current information about symptoms, functioning, and possible support needs.
Rigid flat foot is more common with age, and often develops due to simple wear and tear. Foot structure – Some people have an abnormal foot structure and simply never develop arches. You're more likely to have this abnormal foot structure if there is a family history of flat foot.
Treating flat feet using exercises can prove to be a difficult task. Conservative management strategies and exercises to improve flat feet have limitations in rebuilding the arch entirely and rather serve to maintain and support the arch as weight is applied to it. This is usually done in conjunction with orthotics.
Your body's balance begins in the feet; when the feet do not provide proper support, it can raise your risk for joint problems caused by poor posture and unnatural gait. Individuals with flat feet could be more likely to experience injury or pain in the feet, ankles, knees, or hips.
However, the difference in biomechanical function of the foot between groups of different ethnic descents can not only be a result of shoes. Dunn et al. [16] reported that flat feet are more common in shod African Americans compared to shod non-Hispanics white and shod Puerto Ricans [16].
Celebrities with flat feet include Usain Bolt and Angelina Jolie. Usain Bolt has won multiple Olympic Games with flat feet. Angelina Jolie also has flat feet and continues to lead a productive and successful career while working on her health.
Despite the many disadvantages, it might be the case that some incidences of flat feet could improve the absorption of shocks. If you are a swimmer, flat feet may also be very helpful because they can act as a kind of flipper. Flat feet, of course, are not entirely advantageous.
Some common foot injuries for VA disability claims are plantar fasciitis, flat foot, claw foot, and various other foot injuries ranging from moderate to severe.
Babies are born with flat feet, and as they grow and their muscles and tendons develop, their feet change and arches form. However, some babies never grow out of their flat feet. This is a normal foot type variation.