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

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination, requiring a new opinion on the nature and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral pes planus.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran has hearing loss disabilities and whether they are related to his active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, right knee strain, and left knee strain. The Veteran's migraines were also found to have begun during active duty.,Service connection was denied for sleep apnea.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral foot disorder, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder as secondary to a pre-existing bilateral foot disorder. The evidence does not support finding that any of these conditions were aggravated by service or caused by another service-connected disability.

The Veteran's disability rating for bilateral pes planus was reduced from 50% to 10%, effective September 1, 2024. The reduction is granted.

The appeals for service connection for bilateral pes planus and right ankle condition have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis and pes planus, hypertension, maxillary sinusitis, tension headaches, and PTSD with adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood are all granted. The left ankle condition is remanded for further review.

The Veteran's low back disability and bilateral plantar fasciitis have been granted service connection.,Further examination or evidence is needed for the remaining issues.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to support the readjudication of the claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder. The claims for an orthopedic foot disorder (pes planus) and left lower extremity limp are being remanded for further review.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to readjudicate his claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus, left hip disability, right hip disability, left ankle disability, and right ankle disability. The issues of service connection for back disability are also remanded due to their inextricably intertwined nature with the other issues.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to warrant readjudication of the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including a right foot disability, sleep disorder, cervical spine disability, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, left knee disability, and left foot disability. The claims are being remanded due to the need for further development.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals because they were not filed within one year of the rating decisions, and no good cause was provided for the delay.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service connection was established based on a diagnosed condition and credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor.,Service connection for low back disability is granted, with the diagnosis being intervertebral disc degeneration and spinal stenosis of the lumbar region (low back disability).,The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to his now service-connected low back disability is granted. The link between the two conditions was established by medical evidence.,Service connection for residuals of a head injury, manifested as head pain, memory impairment, loss of balance, and dizziness, is granted based on credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stressor occurred.,The Veteran's right foot disability does not meet service connection criteria.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that he does not meet the criteria for SMC as his disabilities do not render him unable to care for most of his daily personal needs without regular personal assistance from others.

The Veteran's travel to a VA facility on July 12, 2022 was not for treatment of a service-connected disability and he did not meet the eligibility criteria for beneficiary travel reimbursement.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for migraines prior to April 4, 2024 was denied. From April 4, 2024, the claim of a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for migraines is also denied.,Service connection for dermatophytosis and plantar fasciitis were both denied.,The Veteran's claims are currently pending as new evidence was submitted to reconsider these decisions.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection of a right hand disorder. The claims for bilateral pes planus and plantar fascitis, hypertension, and obstructive sleep apnea are granted.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal concerning service connection for left foot plantar fasciitis, and the Board has dismissed the appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and a right foot disability to include plantar fasciitis are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral plantar fasciitis and IBS/GERD were denied as there was no evidence of severe health impairment or other symptoms warranting a higher rating.