Foot (incl. plantar fasciitis, flat feet) decisions — 2025

The Board remanded all issues to correct a duty to assist error. The Veteran will receive VA examinations for his claimed conditions.

The veteran's claim for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea has been granted. The Board found that the evidence was in equipoise, meaning it was nearly equal, and thus the veteran is entitled to the benefit of the doubt.

The appeal for total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was dismissed because the veteran is already rated at 100 percent for leukemia and there is no evidence showing they are unable to work due solely to another service-connected disability.

The Board denied service connection for multiple disabilities but remanded the claims for psychiatric disability and sleep disturbances.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher disability ratings for bilateral plantar fasciitis, right ankle tendonitis, right shin splints, and tinnitus.

The veteran's service connection for plantar fasciitis was restored, but claims for right ankle tendonitis, chronic migraine headaches, a pineal brain cyst, and tinnitus were denied.

The veteran's claims for an increased disability rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for left and right foot pes planus were denied. Other issues, including total disability rating based on individual unemployability and service connection for various conditions, were remanded.

The VA affirmed the reduction of the veteran's cervical spine disability rating to 10% but remanded the decision on service connection for a right foot disability.

The VA denied service connection for asbestos exposure, rhinitis, and sinusitis. The claims for bilateral pes planus and muscle pain were remanded for further evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's petition to re-evaluate his claim for service connection for left foot disability because new and relevant evidence was not received. The Board also found that VA did not err in failing to provide a C&P Examination.

The veteran's request for a higher disability rating for tinnitus was denied. All other claims for service connection were remanded for further review.

The veteran's service connection for several conditions, including left and right knee disabilities, left ankle disability, left foot disability, posttraumatic headaches, TBI, and dental issues, was granted. However, service connection for bilateral hearing loss and higher ratings for other conditions were denied.

The Board remanded the veteran's claims for service connection for gallbladder removal, ingrown toenail, left knee pain, right knee pain, plantar fasciitis, and right shoulder dislocation. The Board found that the AOJ did not adequately consider the Veteran's statements regarding current symptoms, in-service events/causes, and possible continuity of symptoms.

The veteran's PTSD with TBI was rated at 100% from August 1, 2022 to March 19, 2023. The veteran also qualifies for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on housebound criteria.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability was denied, but the claim for plantar fasciitis was remanded for further review.

The Board granted the veteran's appeal, restoring service connection for all claimed conditions and SMC benefits.

The veteran's claims for service connection for several conditions were denied. However, the veteran was granted an initial 10 percent rating for Bell's palsy and an initial 50 percent rating for migraine headaches and sleep apnea. Several other issues were remanded for further review.

The Board remanded the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral flat feet, plantar fasciitis, varicose veins, and hypertension due to inadequate medical opinions.

Service connection for tinnitus and left heel spur was granted. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a bilateral foot disorder other than service-connected bilateral pes planus and left heel spur, and a bilateral leg disorder other than service-connected bilateral knee strains was denied.

The Board granted some issues, denied others, and remanded several for further development. The veteran's ratings for onychomycosis and GERD were restored to 30 percent. Effective dates for service connection for right shoulder surgical scars and lumbar spine surgical scar were granted. Several other issues were denied or dismissed.