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

The Veteran's lung condition, diagnosed as minimal obstructive lung defect, is denied service connection. The Board finds that the current diagnosis of plantar fasciitis for bilateral foot condition is secondary to a service-connected back disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The Board found no new evidence to reopen the previously denied GERD and low back disability claims, but granted a higher rating of 10% for right knee PFPS from July 26, 2017.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a plantar wart was granted in December 2024 and the appeal is dismissed as moot.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for obstructive sleep apnea and right foot plantar fasciitis due to insufficient information in the current record, particularly regarding whether these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis, pes planus, hallux valgus, and calcaneal spurs were granted a disability rating of 50 percent effective May 17, 2018. A separate 10 percent rating was granted for metatarsalgia (Morton's neuroma). The Veteran's prior service-connected conditions did not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's TDIU was granted effective November 21, 2024. The effective date for the initial 70% rating for adjustment disorder is February 11, 2018.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional examinations to determine if any of his claimed disabilities are related to service. The issues include neck, low back, hip, knee, ankle, foot, joint pain, sleep condition, lung, gastrointestinal, and psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unemployable, and the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a psychiatric disability to include PTSD and an anxiety disability, acne, and bilateral pes planus is being remanded due to the need for further medical examinations.,Service connection for acne remains pending as it was not fully addressed in the current decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss and knee disabilities, were denied. The Board found no current diagnoses of these conditions.,There is no evidence of a current diagnosis of bilateral knee disability or other specific conditions such as gout, left foot disability, right foot disability, left ankle disability, or right ankle disability.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral flat feet, dermatitis, and gastrointestinal condition (GERD) due to lack of evidence showing a current disability or a relationship between the conditions and service.

The Board denied service connection for right and left foot disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a link to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate reasons and bases in its June 2024 denial of an increased rating for right foot disability since April 29, 2022. The Veteran's statement that he experiences 'severe' right foot flares was not adequately addressed. Additionally, VA failed to obtain all relevant medical records from the Veteran's private physician and VA providers.

The Veteran's appeals for a higher rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis and SMC based on housebound status have been withdrawn, resulting in their dismissal.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus and remanded the issue of an initial compensable rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB).

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and compensable ratings for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, back disability, cervical spine disability, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, TBI, pes planus, COPD, and GERD. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection or entitlement to higher ratings for these conditions.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder unspecified is granted with a 70 percent rating effective from December 8, 2022.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is granted with a 40 percent rating effective from July 2, 2024.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral foot disability, including pes planus and plantar fasciitis, are granted as service-connected. The tinnitus is presumed to have started during service, while the bilateral foot disability is found to be aggravated by service.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right knee disabilities, left and right leg shin splints, and lumbosacral strain. The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is denied as it clearly existed prior to service and was not aggravated by any in-service injury.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions, including those related to secondary service connection. The claims will be reconsidered with new or updated evidence.