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

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis due to incomplete service treatment records, which may contain relevant information about the onset of these conditions during service. The AOJ is instructed to obtain any missing service treatment records and schedule the Veteran for an examination with a qualified person to determine if his current foot disabilities are related to his military service.

The Board has dismissed the claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability, a right foot disability, tinnitus, and an initial compensable rating for migraine headaches. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of 20 percent, but no higher, for degenerative arthritis of the spine with scoliosis prior to October 27, 2023, is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it is related to the Veteran's diagnosed obesity and his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for beneficiary travel expenses incurred for medical travel by ambulance to a VA facility on July 27, 2020, is granted because he had a service-connected disability rated at 30 percent or more in effect at the time of his trip and was unable to defray the cost due to his service-connected condition.

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 Board has granted service connection for chronic allergic rhinitis, chronic conjunctivitis, chronic hives, a cervical spine disorder, and pes planus as these conditions are related to the Veteran's active duty and ACDUTRA service.

The Veteran's cervical spine, left heel condition, right heel condition, left ankle degenerative changes with arthralgia, left elbow condition, left and right plantar fasciitis, left wrist disability, and sleep disorder have been remanded for further development.,No specific rating has been assigned as the claims are currently in a 'remanded' status.

The Veteran's right ankle disability was granted service connection, but the claims for bilateral pes planus, alcohol abuse, insomnia, anxiety, and depression, and vision loss with bilateral myopia were dismissed due to untimeliness of appeals.

The Board dismissed the appeals for a rating in excess of 10 percent for flatfoot (pes planus), bilateral, and service connection for left and right Achilles enthesophytes due to the Appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, cervical strain, and tension headaches as secondary to cervical strain. The Veteran's conditions are found to be at least as likely as not related to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a pre-decisional error in not obtaining an addendum or supplemental medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral foot disability, specifically his pes planus, plantar fasciitis, and hammer toes.

The Veteran's PTSD and acquired psychiatric disorder are granted as service-connected, and his bilateral pes planus is also granted.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, is granted. Service connection for right hip arthritis secondary to service-connected left foot plantar fasciitis is also granted. However, the Veteran's claims for right hand arthritis, breast cancer (secondary to service-connected psychiatric disorder), osteopenia, and right foot plantar fasciitis are denied.

The appeal for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is dismissed. Service connection for right foot plantar fasciitis is granted, while left foot plantar fasciitis and bilateral pes planus are denied.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for right knee pain, low back pain, bilateral pes planus, and left knee pain as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is granted, but his right ear hearing loss and right shoulder disability are denied. The Veteran's right clavicle, scapula, AC joint and sternoclavicular joint conditions are granted a 20 percent rating, while allergic rhinitis, plantar fasciitis of the left foot, left knee strain, right knee strain, bilateral hip disability, and low back disability are denied.

The Veteran's appeals seeking service connection for various conditions have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of his appeal by his authorized representative.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board grants TDIU effective August 29, 2020.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings have been granted. The specific conditions, including right knee strain with instability, bilateral pes planus, obstructive sleep apnea, PTSD, and respiratory disorder, are all associated with service exposure in the Gulf War. The decision also includes a grant of SMC based on loss or use of a creative organ.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral foot disability are granted service connection, while the issue of a compensable rating for his hearing loss is remanded.