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

The Board granted service connection for a right foot disability and granted an initial rating of 100 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from March 25, 2014. The appeal was partially denied as the claims for chronic fatigue syndrome and a higher rating for endometriosis were denied.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, hypertension, and right and left foot disabilities as the evidence did not support that these conditions were caused by or aggravated by the Veteran's military service.

The Board granted a rating of 50 percent for bilateral pes planus, but not higher, effective January 6, 2023. The right and left knee service connection claims were remanded.

The Board granted service connection for chronic sinusitis, left hip bursitis, and bilateral plantar fasciitis. The claims for herpes, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a higher rating for shin splints, lumbosacral strain, and cervical/uterine polyps were denied.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral pes planus, finding that the condition underwent an increase in severity during active duty and was presumed to have been aggravated by service.

The Board granted an initial 10 percent disability rating for superior cluneal nerve damage in the left lower extremity, granted a 20 percent disability rating as of March 22, 2023, for a painful scar status post residuals of a pilonidal cystectomy, and granted an initial 30 percent rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis.

The Board remands the claims for further development, including reevaluation of the evidence under the criteria which existed prior to the new DC 5269 and issuance of a decision that fully explains the changes in the Veteran's symptoms/condition.

The Board denied service connection for hyperlipidemia and PTSD, and remanded the claims for a bilateral ankle condition, left hip condition, right knee condition, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and bilateral flat feet.

The Board granted service connection for migraine headaches as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and remanded several other claims for further development.

The Board granted service connection for emphysema, hypertension, and a bilateral foot disability, as well as an increased rating of 70 percent for persistent depressive disorder from May 30, 2017.

The Board remands the claim for a higher rating for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis to obtain an opinion that addresses the ameliorative effects of medication.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the claims for migraine disability and bilateral pes planus due to insufficient evidence.

The Board granted the Veteran's petitions to reopen claims for service connection for a right knee disability, left knee disability, and left foot disability due to new and relevant evidence being received.

The Board remands the claims for an initial compensable disability rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) with Barrett's esophagus to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the severity of these conditions without the ameliorative effects of medication.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for eczema and bilateral flat feet due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error, specifically the failure to arrange for VA examinations.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for bilateral plantar fasciitis with pes planus and hallux valgus, finding that the Veteran is already receiving the maximum schedular rating.

The Board denied service connection for left ankle pain, right ankle pain, left hip pain, right hip pain, and left knee pain but granted service connection for left upper extremity radiculopathy and right upper extremity radiculopathy. The Board also denied a compensable evaluation for hammer toe deformities of the feet and a rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative changes of the left acromioclavicular joint, while granting a single 10 percent evaluation for bilateral foot plantar fasciitis.

The Board granted an initial increased disability evaluation rating of 40 percent for service-connected left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, sciatic. The other issues were remanded.

The Board granted service connection for hypertension and tinnitus, but denied service connection for depression, chronic ear infections, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), acne, arthritis, heart attack, thyroid disability, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, catarrhal fever (common cold), foot disability, ventral hernia, dental disability, and a rating in excess of 70 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder with bipolar spectrum disorder prior to January 3, 2025.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, right and left foot disabilities with toe amputations, right and left leg scars, knee disability, and altered gait due to a need for further development.