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

The Board denied service connection for bilateral pes planus as the evidence did not show that the Veteran's pre-existing condition was aggravated beyond its natural progression during service.

The Board granted service connection for a bilateral foot disability, finding that the evidence supports a causal relationship between the current condition and an in-service injury.

The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and diabetes mellitus type II, and assigned a 30 percent disability rating to the Veteran's calluses of both feet. The claims for high blood pressure, headaches, and TDIU were remanded.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for various disabilities, including fibromyalgia and musculoskeletal conditions of the back, elbows, knees, and feet, due to a lack of compliance with previous remand directives.

The veteran withdrew all remaining appeals for service connection for various recurrent disabilities claimed as the result of herbicide agent exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date, a higher initial rating, and service connection for dry eye syndrome.

The Board granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD and TDIU, while denying service connection for chronic pain syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome, urinary tract disorder, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and remanding claims for right foot, left foot, right ankle, and left ankle disabilities.

The Board granted service connection for tension headaches as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and major depressive disorder, and for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The claims for bilateral plantar fasciitis, left hip condition, neck condition, and TBI were remanded for further development.

The attorney is eligible for the direct payment of attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded from a January 2024 decision that granted service connection for bilateral pes planus and awarded a higher disability rating for PTSD; however, the Veteran's appeal regarding the attorney's eligibility for a fee is denied.

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and increased the rating for posttraumatic stress disorder to 100 percent, while denying or dismissing claims for other conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus due to a lack of evidence showing he currently has this condition.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for heart disease, right ankle sprain, right foot disability, and left foot disability to obtain a VA examination and opinion in accordance with the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022 (PACT Act) and an addendum opinion addressing aggravation by the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability.

The Board granted service connection for sarcoidosis and denied service connection for phimosis, diabetes mellitus, type II, eczema, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and right achilles tendinosis.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for nerve damage of both legs and bilateral flat feet due to a procedural error in notifying the Veteran of his right to a hearing.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for various disabilities due to duty-to-assist errors that occurred prior to the June 2023 rating decision.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection for a left shoulder disability, psychiatric disability (anxiety), and plantar fasciitis due to procedural errors in the filing of the Veteran's notices of disagreement and concurrent elections.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for service connection and TDIU, as well as a claim for SMC.

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and pes planus, finding that the Veteran's conditions were related to his active duty service. The right thumb arthritis claim was remanded for further examination.

The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death, and no further action can be taken on the claims.

The Board denied the veteran's appeal for a rating higher than 30 percent for bilateral pes planus and denied entitlement to a separate rating for hammertoes.