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

The Board remands the claims for service connection for various conditions, including tinnitus and headaches, due to a duty-to-assist error regarding VA examinations.

The Board granted an initial disability rating of 30 percent for restrictive lung disease (claimed as asthma) but denied service connection for several other conditions, including right knee strain, left foot pes planus with bilateral hammer toes, foot fungus, seborrheic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and right hip condition. The Board also dismissed claims for service connection that were not ripe for review.

The Board remands the claims for further development, as substantial compliance with previous remand directives was not achieved.

The Board granted service connection for major depressive disorder and remanded the claims for service connection for a sinus condition, entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral plantar fasciitis with bone spurs, and service connection for hypertension.

The Board denied a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for right foot pes planus and a disability rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbar spine disability, but granted a 30 percent disability rating for radiculopathy, femoral nerve, left lower extremity (LLE) and right lower extremity (RLE), and denied a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied an initial disability rating more than 10 percent for bilateral plantar fasciitis prior to November 26, 2019, as the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board granted service connection for left foot plantar fasciitis and metatarsalgia, resolving all doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board remands the claims for further development, including obtaining potentially relevant Social Security Administration records.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a bilateral foot condition, including pes planus, as there was no evidence of current diagnoses or incurrence in service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for service connection and special monthly compensation based on housebound criteria, as there was no legal basis to support an earlier effective date.

The Board remands the issues of whether the character of the appellant's discharge is a bar to VA compensation benefits, and entitlement to service connection for PTSD, back disability, and bilateral foot disability due to additional development needed.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for a TDIU and dismissed the proposal to combine service connection for patellofemoral syndrome, right knee limitation of extension with residuals of right knee total arthroplasty.

The Board granted a rating of 30 percent for right foot pes planus and plantar fasciitis, effective August 31, 2022.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for left foot plantar fasciitis and right foot pain to obtain an addendum opinion addressing the nature and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral foot disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a dental disability to include missing teeth, and a recurrent gum disability. The claims for Type II diabetes mellitus, recurrent fatigue, lumbosacral spine, left lower extremity, ankle neurological, foot, joint, and bone disabilities were remanded.

The Board denied service connection for pes planus, left foot and chronic kidney disease Stage 1 as the evidence did not support a causal relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Board granted service connection for a lumbar spine condition and remanded the claims for service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and bilateral plantar fasciitis.

The Board granted service connection for erectile dysfunction and sleep apnea, as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder and obesity, respectively. The Board also granted increased ratings of 30 percent for GERD with gastritis and bilateral plantar fasciitis.

The Board granted service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability, to include degenerative arthritis. The other issues are remanded.

The Board granted service connection for a headache disorder and bilateral pes planus, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss.