John, to answer your question and tell you more about foot drop, as you asked.

When you have foot drop, you can no longer lift the front of your foot. When you take a step on a tile, or other solid surface, your foot strikes the floor toes first instead of heel first. That situation trips you and you have to run to catch up in order keep yourself from falling. Some times you can’t catch up, and you fall.

When you have foot drop you can stand on your toes, but you can no longer stand on your heels.

You can press down on the gas pedal and you can press down the brake pedal, but you can’t let off of the gas or brake pedal unless you lift your entire leg from the hip.

In the case of foot drop, an Ankle Foot Orthotic brace (AFO) is prescribed. The AFO, with its spring loaded action causes your foot to raise at the toe when lifted off of the floor and your heel to strike the floor first as your foot goes down in the next step. An amputation is never prescribed for foot drop.

As far as driving, a person who has foot drop most probably has already adjusted and actually, without realizing it, raises the entire leg at the hip to decelerate or come off of the brake pedal. 

If you are awarded the automobile grant, because of the foot drop and resultant loss of use, you will also be awarded the adaptive equipment grant. A steering wheel knob with hand controls will solve the driving problem.

Once you know what foot drop is, you can sit on a bench or chair in the hallway at the VA and watch the guys feet as they walk. You can pick out the ones who have foot drop. Some drag their toes, some have developed a high stepping gait, some swing a foot out sideways to keep it from dragging, but you can hear the foot slap the floor as they walk. They are not even aware that they have foot drop. 

All of those guys that you spot walking down the hall with foot drop would qualify for shoes and braces (AFOs). All would qualify for one or two $971.00 each yearly clothing allowances. Some would qualify for special monthly compensation “L” and some would possibly qualify for SMC at the “O” rate, Most would qualify for the approximately $22,000.00 automobile allowance w/ adaptive equipment, and some would qualify for the special adaptive housing grant (SAH), of $108,000.00. IF THEY ONLY KNEW!