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

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for service connection of bilateral foot disability and neck disability. As a result, the Board is dismissing these matters.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for heel spurs, toe spur, pes cavus, and plantar fasciitis is remanded due to the AOJ not obtaining an adequate VA medical opinion.

The Veteran's appeal for SMC on account of being housebound was dismissed. The Board granted SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person, finding that he requires assistance with various daily activities due to his service-connected disabilities.

The appeals for service connection for bilateral knee disorders and plantar fasciitis are dismissed due to procedural defects.,Service connection for right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, liver cancer, left elbow disorder, left wrist disorder, left hip disorder, and bilateral big toe disorders (claimed as arthritis) are denied.

The Veteran's claims for service-connected disability compensation for Female Sexual Arousal Disorder, Herpes, Iron Deficiency Anemia, and a Bilateral Foot Disability (claimed as Tendonitis, Plantar Fasciitis, and Flat Foot) were not adjudicated in the December 2024 decision on appeal. The issues are dismissed.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased rating claims due to a concurrent election under the Appeals Modernization Act (AMA). The issues were docketed in error as the AOJ was still reviewing them.

The Veteran's request for additional VR&E equipment purchases and other services under a program of independent living services, including a riding lawnmower, power tools, attending school far from home, childcare, and a vehicle, was denied due to the severity of his service-connected disabilities. The Board has ordered further development to address these issues.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to outstanding VA and private treatment records related to the Veteran's left foot disabilities. The claims are currently pending.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted prior to February 13, 2003. The effective date for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits is also granted as of the same date.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of an examination by a podiatrist or foot specialist, and the Veteran's failure to report for scheduled examinations. The claim will be reconsidered with new evidence from a qualified medical professional.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis prior to February 7, 2021 was rated at 30 percent and the claim for a higher evaluation is denied.

The Veteran's request for a waiver of the overpayment debt due to her left foot disability was denied as military separation pay is not an area where a waiver can be granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to errors in obtaining relevant records from federal custody.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for tinnitus, right ear hearing loss, bilateral pes planus on an aggravation basis, and joint pain disability, to include lupus due to new evidence received after final decisions. The Veteran's testimony during a May 2024 Board hearing supports her claims.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right knee osteoarthritis and joint instability, as well as bilateral foot disabilities including metatarsalgia, plantar fasciitis, posterior tibial insertional tendonitis, peroneus brevis insertional tendonitis, and calcaneal spur. The conditions are deemed to have begun in service.

The Veteran's acne, left foot pes planus, and left eye peripheral pterygium were all found to be related to service. The right eye disability, gastroesophageal disability (GERD), intestinal disability (IBS), lower respiratory disability (pneumonia and bronchitis), sinusitis, bilateral hearing loss, acquired psychiatric disorder (depression and anxiety), lumbar disability, left knee disability, left hand disability, right elbow disability, left elbow disability, right wrist disability, left wrist disability, right ankle disability, TMJ disability, head scars, right shin, right mid-foot and anterior dorsum of the right foot scars, and torso scar were not found to be related to service.,The Veteran's acne was found to have been aggravated by service. The left foot pes planus was also found to have been aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to deficiencies in the VA examination reports and lack of adequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's PTSD is now rated at 70 percent, effective October 1, 2023.

The Veteran's diabetes is being remanded for a new VA medical opinion to address the relationship between his service-connected disabilities and his diagnosed diabetes.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.