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

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome and bilateral pes planus have been granted service connection, with the latter being attributed to aggravation during service.

The claims for service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis, left ankle disability (secondary to service-connected musculoskeletal disabilities), bilateral hip disability (secondary to service-connected musculoskeletal disabilities), heart disability, erectile dysfunction, sleep apnea, and acquired psychiatric disorder have been dismissed.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, right ankle plantar fascia calcaneus spur, bilateral pes planus, cervical spine disability, and bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy. The claims were reopened due to new evidence received after the July 2015 denial.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for bilateral foot disabilities, based on a finding of clear and unmistakable error (CUE), was dismissed as there was no evidence to overturn the September 2019 Board decision.

The Veteran's status-post amputation, right fourth toe and bilateral pes planus are granted service connection. The Veteran's bilateral degenerative arthritis of the feet with calcaneal spurs is also granted service connection as aggravated by his service-connected status-post amputation, right fourth toe. However, the claims for testicular hernia and testicular cancer remain pending due to inextricably intertwined issues.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral pes planus and sleep disturbances, as well as entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's claims are pending further development.,The Board also found that a VA examination is not required for the claim of service connection for bilateral pes planus.

The Board has dismissed all claims of service connection for various conditions due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right foot plantar fasciitis, cervical spine degenerative disc disease, and left ankle fracture residuals are being remanded due to the need to obtain Social Security Administration (SSA) records.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus and bilateral hallux valgus, finding that the Veteran's current foot disabilities are related to his in-service duties.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, back disability, neck disability, bilateral foot disability, bilateral shin disability, bilateral shoulder disability, and bilateral wrist disability due to a failure to provide proper notice of the right to a hearing before the RO.

The Board denied an effective date prior to June 17, 2019 for the grant of service connection for bilateral pes planus as it found that entitlement arose on that date when a VA examiner determined that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus had been aggravated beyond its natural progression.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar back strain, cervical spine disability, bilateral pes planus, left ankle and knee disabilities, tinnitus, and hearing loss are rated accordingly. The effective date for the grant of service connection is denied prior to December 29, 2015. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability (TDIU) and special monthly compensation (SMC) claims have also been denied.

The reduction of the rating for plantar fasciitis and right foot trauma with hallux valgus from 30% to 10% was improper, as the Veteran's symptoms did not improve. The rating has been reinstated.

The Board has denied service connection for right and left knee disabilities, as well as a right wrist disability. The back disability claim is remanded due to the inextricably intertwined nature with the bilateral foot disability.

The Board has granted service connection for various conditions, including residuals of heat exhaustion, chronic headaches, skin disability, acquired psychiatric disabilities, bilateral foot disabilities, lumbar spine disabilities, and radicular pain. Service connection is denied for hypertension, IBS, and OSA.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in development and a need for additional evidence, including clarification of the Veteran's claim and an examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, gastroesophageal reflux disease, irritable bowel disease, neuropathy of lower extremities, neuropathy of upper extremities, rhinitis, sinusitis, prostate cancer, bilateral plantar fasciitis, right knee condition (claimed as bilateral knee injuries), and traumatic brain injury is denied due to lack of evidence supporting the presence or relationship of these conditions to service.,The Veteran's claim for secondary service connection for loss of use of a creative organ and sleep apnea related to an acquired psychiatric disability is also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral foot disability, as his current diagnosis is bilateral plantar fasciitis. The decision also includes a request to verify the Veteran's periods of service in the Army National Guard and obtain his complete service treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, vertigo, sinusitis, right ankle disorder, left ankle disorder, coronary artery disease, plantar fasciitis, hypertension, monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), lumbar strain, left hip osteoarthritis, and right hip osteoarthritis have been granted. However, the claims for service connection for vertigo as secondary to tinnitus are denied.

The Veteran's travel to a VA facility on July 5, 2022 was not for treatment of a service-connected disability and he did not meet the eligibility criteria for beneficiary travel reimbursement. His income exceeded the maximum annual rate of pension he would receive under 38 U.S.C. § 1521.