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

The Board granted a 30 percent disability rating for tension headaches from September 10, 2021, to August 27, 2022, and denied increased ratings for other conditions.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine, right shoulder, lumbar spine, bilateral hip, and bilateral knee disabilities. The Board also denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, a higher initial rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis, and an earlier effective date for a 50 percent disability rating for schizophrenia. However, the Board granted a 70 percent disability rating from December 14, 2021, for schizophrenia and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The claims for service connection and increased rating are remanded for the AOJ to provide notice of the right to a pre-decisional hearing.

The Board granted service connection for right ankle sprain with arthritis, right foot disorder (plantar fasciitis with hammer toes, arthritis, and plantar calcaneal spur), and right knee disorder (arthritis) based on the evidence showing that these conditions are related to active service.

The Board granted a rating of 30 percent for right and left foot plantar fasciitis, but remanded the issue of an initial rating in excess of 60 percent for nephrolithiasis.

The Board denied service connection for left foot hallux valgus, right foot hallux valgus, and bilateral pes planus as the evidence did not support a finding of onset in or relating to military service. The claims were based on direct service connection.

The Board remanded the claims for a new VA examination and opinion regarding the service connection of a left foot disability, as well as additional evidence to support the skin disability claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 50 percent evaluation of bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis, finding no factually ascertainable increase in disability prior to August 3, 2021.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for chest tightness with shortness of breath, allergic rhinitis (claimed as congestion), and degenerative joint disease, lumbar spine. However, a 10 percent rating was granted for bilateral plantar fasciitis.

The Veteran's effective date for the grant of a 30 percent evaluation for his left foot disability was granted as November 14, 2022.

The Board granted service connection for hallux valgus of the right foot as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis and left plantar fascia release. The claims for increased ratings for painful surgical scar, left ankle s/p tarsal tunnel and partial plantar fascia release, and bilateral plantar fasciitis and left plantar fascia release were remanded.

The Board granted service connection for left knee disability, right knee disability, and bilateral foot disability based on the evidence showing that these conditions are related to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board remands the case to obtain an etiology opinion for the Veteran's flat feet disability and readjudicate the claim.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's claimed conditions, including a left shoulder disability, bilateral pes planus, right eye retinal detachment, herpes viral keratitis, and left eyelid edema.

The Board restored the 50% rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis with metatarsalgia and degenerative arthritis, denied a higher rating for right foot postoperative scar, and denied increased ratings for other conditions.

The Veteran withdrew all pending claims and appeals, resulting in the dismissal of the service connection claims for various conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 0 percent for bilateral hearing loss and remanded claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and plantar fasciitis due to pre-decisional errors.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the Veteran's awards of service connection, finding that the claims were not submitted within one year of a valid intent to file.

The appeal of entitlement to service connection for diabetes mellitus type II was dismissed, while the appeals for peroneal neuritis and increased evaluation for right foot plantar fasciitis were granted. The issues related to osteoarthritis and pes cavus were remanded.

The Board remands the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings due to outstanding medical records and a need for VA examinations.