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

The Board has restored the Veteran's 30% rating for bilateral pes planus, effective January 1, 2021, as the reduction was improper and did not show improvement in the Veteran's ability to function under ordinary conditions of life and work.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right foot plantar wart and a back disability, finding that there is no persuasive evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right foot disability. The claim will be reconsidered with a new VA medical opinion.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral plantar fasciitis and left knee MCL strain are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is currently rated at 10 percent from June 9, 2023. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as the evidence does not support a finding of severe flatfoot with marked deformity or pain on manipulation and use.

The Veteran's back, diabetes, and nerve disabilities are remanded for further development as the VA has not obtained all relevant records.

Service connection is granted for urethral stricture condition, left foot plantar fasciitis, right foot plantar fasciitis, and left ankle condition as secondary to service-connected left knee condition.,Service connection is remanded for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and erectile dysfunction due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's pes planus with plantar fasciitis is currently rated at the maximum allowable rating of 50 percent, and a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.,The Veteran's chronic allergic rhinitis does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating as there are no indications of nasal polyps or greater than 50 percent obstruction on both sides.,Service connection for sleep apnea is denied.

The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to address the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed bilateral ankle disability, bilateral knee disability, left foot disability, and fractures of the right foot bones. The claims will be remanded for these purposes.

The Board has remanded the cases due to conflicting evidence regarding the preexisting status of the Veteran's bilateral foot conditions. Additional remand is required for new VA opinions.

The Board has denied service connection for back pain, bilateral flat feet, and bilateral shin splints. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions including depression, mental health disorder, TBI, alopecia, headaches, TMJ disorder, insomnia, OSA, conjunctivitis, dry eye disorder, glaucoma, PFB, rhinitis, sinusitis, deviated septum, neck disorder, right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, right elbow disorder, left elbow disorder, asthma, hyperthyroid disorder, hives, anemia, DM (diabetes mellitus), heart disorder, IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), kidney stones, hiatal hernia, hemorrhoids, right hip/thigh disorder, left hip/thigh disorder, varicose veins, heel spurs, pes planus, bunions, RUE neuropathy, LUE neuropathy, right hand disorder, left hand disorder, back disorder, RLE neuropathy, LLE neuropathy, HTN (hypertension), GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), bladder disorder, ED (erectile dysfunction), prostate disorder, and gout.

The Veteran's hypertension was not rated as more than noncompensable due to intermittent readings above the threshold for a compensable rating.,Service connection was granted for bilateral plantar fasciitis, with no specific service-connected condition or exposure basis provided.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to a procedural defect, specifically for filing a Notice of Disagreement that constituted a concurrent election with another pending claim.

The Board has granted an effective date of September 21, 2022 for the awards of service connection for right shin splints, left shin splints, and bilateral plantar fasciitis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy and right lower extremity radiculopathy have been dismissed.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for right hallux valgus, tinea pedis, vertigo and dizziness, bilateral pes planus, and left hallux valgus have been granted.

The Board has denied service connection for right and left ankle disabilities, but granted service connection for a left knee disability and bilateral pes planus.

The Board dismissed all claims for service connection as the AOJ had not yet issued a decision on these issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in the decision-making process, including a failure to consider whether the Veteran's skin conditions (blisters and warts) created functional impairment of his right foot. The claim is being returned for further examination.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various disabilities due to duty-to-assist errors in obtaining opinions regarding whether these conditions are related to service. The issues are also intertwined and require further review.