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

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for a 50 percent rating for bilateral pes planus, finding no evidence of worsening within one year prior to the December 2019 claim.

The Board granted service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) as a qualifying chronic disability and granted an initial 10% rating for right knee instability, while denying service connection for other conditions including right wrist disorder, left hip disorder, right hand arthritis, left shoulder arthritis, increased ratings for the right knee flexion, and right shoulder recurrent dislocation.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and left and right foot pes planus as there was no evidence of chronic conditions in service or within the applicable presumptive period; continuity of symptomatology is not established; and the disabilities are not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury or disease. The other issues on appeal were remanded for further development.

The Board granted a rating of 20 percent for the Veteran's right eye disability and denied a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. The remaining claims for service connection were remanded.

The appeal for service connection for tinnitus is dismissed as the benefit sought on appeal has been granted in full. The remaining claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of March 2, 2017 for service-connected hypertension was granted. The remaining claims were remanded.

The Board granted a separate disability rating of 10 percent for the Veteran's painful left ankle surgical scar and denied an increased rating for plantar fasciitis and stress reaction of the left foot. The Board also remanded service connection for low/mid back pain.

The Board remands the claims for service connection and increased ratings to schedule VA examinations to determine the current state of the Veteran's disabilities.

The Board granted service connection for diabetes and a bilateral foot disability, to include neuropathy, based on the evidence showing that these conditions manifested within the one-year presumptive period following the Veteran's separation from active duty.

The Board denied service connection for a flat foot disability and bilateral hearing loss disability, as the evidence did not support an increase in severity during service or a causal relationship to noise exposure.

The Board remands the claims for higher ratings for right knee strain with contusion, bilateral plantar fasciitis with right foot calluses, burn scar right index and right ring finger, and left ingrown toenails post-operative to correct an error by the agency of original jurisdiction in satisfying the regulatory duty to provide the Veteran with notice of his right to a pre-decisional hearing.

The Board denied an initial rating higher than 20 percent for right foot pes planus prior to April 18, 2024, as the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for flat feet to ensure a VA examination is conducted, as the Veteran's condition may have been aggravated by his military service.

The Board remands the claims for service connection and initial ratings due to a duty to assist error in failing to obtain outstanding VA and private treatment records.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for bilateral plantar fasciitis with left heel spur and a compensable evaluation for erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's appeal was withdrawn and dismissed by the Veteran's representative prior to the requested hearing, as the Veteran was satisfied with his current ratings.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral pes planus, frostbite of the left and right feet, painful scar of the right foot, xerosis (also claimed as skin rash), and obstructive sleep apnea with effective dates from November 17, 2020 or later.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for bilateral pes planus and initial compensable evaluation for tension headaches.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus and bilateral plantar fasciitis due to a procedural defect in the filing of concurrent elections.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a foot disability (claimed as foot pain/plantar fasciitis), and a left knee disability (claimed as left knee replacement) due to the lack of evidence supporting current disabilities or a link to in-service events.