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

The Board granted a 30 percent disability rating for bilateral pes planus from July 5, 2019, but denied an increased rating prior to that date. The lumbar spine claim was remanded.

The Board granted service connection for left and right foot disabilities, left and right knee arthritis, and thoracolumbar spine with spondylosis, but denied lumbar radiculopathy.

The appeal for an earlier effective date for the grant of a 70 percent rating for major depressive disorder with alcohol dependence was dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran. The claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of a 30 percent rating for bilateral pes planus was denied as there was no evidence that the condition met the criteria for a higher rating prior to August 6, 2024.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral pes planus, bilateral tinea pedis, and rhinitis as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or caused by active military service.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for diabetes, bilateral peripheral neuropathy, and a right foot disability due to insufficient development of evidence regarding herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral pes planus and left hand carpal tunnel syndrome, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (adjustment disorder with mixed emotional features) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right ankle strain and instability, but denied service connection for right shoulder, left shoulder, left foot, and right foot disabilities.

The Board denied increased ratings for left knee strain and right leg shin splints, granted a 10 percent rating for right ankle strain, and remanded several other issues including service connection claims.

The Board granted the appeal and reinstated a 40 percent disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine vertebral fracture with degenerative arthritis and lumbosacral strain, effective June 24, 2024.

The Board dismissed the claims for service connection for flat feet, tinnitus, and a neck injury due to an improper concurrent election of administrative review options.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral foot condition, including congenital pes planus, plantar fasciitis, hallux valgus, and arthritis, as the evidence did not support that these conditions were caused by or aggravated during active military service.

The Board remands the claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for pes planus, and ratings in excess of 10 percent for left foot surgical scars and residuals of bunionectomy due to the need for an SOC.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the regular need of aid and attendance from March 9, 2012. SMC based on housebound status is denied.

The Board denied an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for bilateral pes planus and denied an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for a left ankle disability based on limitation of motion, but granted a separate 10 percent disability rating for a left ankle disability based on instability.

The appeal was dismissed by the Veteran's request in a statement submitted on September 18, 2025.

The Board denied service connection for squamous cell skin cancer, chronic fatigue syndrome, tuberculosis, hematuria, hypercholesterolemia, and vitamin deficiency. However, the Board granted service connection for a right knee disorder, left knee disorder, and plantar fasciitis.

The Board granted an effective date of November 29, 2011 for muscle atrophy of the left thigh and calf, but denied earlier dates for right foot pes planus. It also granted a rating of 20 percent for left foot hammertoes (second, third, fourth, and little toes) with acquired pes cavus effective August 16, 2021.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of August 19, 2022, for the grant of service connection for bilateral pes planus.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the claims for service connection for various disabilities, as well as increased ratings for certain service-connected conditions.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis and remanded the claims for a left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, back disability, neck disability, left upper extremity pain and paresthesia, right upper extremity pain and paresthesia, and TBI.