Foot (incl. plantar fasciitis, flat feet) decisions — 2026

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a right shoulder disability and increased rating for bilateral flatfoot (pes planus) due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis is found to be secondary to his service-connected left deltoid ligament sprain, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran is found to be eligible for enrollment in the PCAFC program due to his severe and complex medical conditions, which require personal care services.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to in-service hazardous noise exposure and has been granted service connection. The remaining claims of service connection for lumbar spine, cervical spine, and bilateral foot disabilities are remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for right, left knee and ankle disabilities as well as right and left foot disabilities. The Veteran's current symptoms are considered to be related to his military duties during service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted effective September 18, 2023. Effective that date, the Veteran also becomes eligible for DEA benefits and has an effective date of service connection for various conditions.

The Board denied service connection for hypertensive vascular disease, concussion, diabetes mellitus, seizure disability, bilateral pes planus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (alcohol use disorder in sustained remission and PTSD). The effective date for hypertension was denied as the Veteran's claim was received within one year of the PACT Act.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, bilateral pes planus, and a right shoulder disability. The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis is found to be secondary to his service-connected bilateral ankle disabilities. His preexisting bilateral pes planus was aggravated by service. His right shoulder disability is considered due to active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to provide notice of the Veteran's right to a pre-decisional hearing with the AOJ. The effective date for the grant of service connection for bilateral flat feet, plantar fasciitis, and sinus tarsi syndrome (bilateral feet disability) is not addressed in this decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of VA examination and insufficient evidence regarding the onset of plantar fasciitis during service.

The Board granted a 50% rating for service-connected bilateral pes planus, effective June 3, 2024, based on the Veteran's symptoms of pain and tenderness in his feet.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis disability has resulted in extreme tenderness of the feet, not relieved by orthotics, or severe pain and functional impairment commensurate with a 50 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 4.71a, resulting in a grant of a 50 percent rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities precluded him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment as of March 15, 2022. A TDIU was granted for this period.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus has been restored to a 30% evaluation effective September 1, 2020. The evaluations for right and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected right foot injury did not result in functional loss due to pain. The Board found that the non-service-connected conditions of pes planus and plantar fasciitis were responsible for his reported symptoms.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral pes planus, bilateral knee conditions, and bilateral hearing loss due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. The Veteran's right ankle condition is granted, but his bilateral pes planus and bilateral knee conditions are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of low back and right knee disabilities due to improper filing deadlines.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus, sinus condition, and migraines (claimed as headaches) are granted service connection. The Veteran's right lower extremity shin splints, left lower extremity shin splints, residuals of a right ankle condition, gastritis, and left foot injury are denied.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for his foot conditions has been dismissed due to a procedural error in the appeals system.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error in the prior rating decision. A new opinion is needed from an appropriate provider regarding the likely etiology of the Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis.