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

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination. The Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability, bilateral foot disability, and obstructive sleep apnea are all under review.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for a bilateral foot disability due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus did not worsen during his military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no current diagnosis of hearing loss for VA purposes.,The Veteran's claim for tinnitus is denied as the evidence does not support a nexus between his service and his current condition.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, recurrent STI (claimed as herpes), chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory insufficiency dyspnea, hypertension, constipation, allergic rhinitis, and headaches have all been denied.,For the entire appeal period, a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD with alcohol use disorder due to MST has also been denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right foot pes planus, left foot pes planus, right foot arthritic changes, and left foot arthritic changes. The evidence did not support finding that these conditions were aggravated by service or preexisted service.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for evaluations in excess of 10 percent for left and right foot plantar fasciitis because her appeal was untimely filed more than one year after she received notice of the rating decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus and bilateral plantar fasciitis, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability related to his active service.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that the evidence does not support a nexus between current diagnoses and service.,The Board also denied service connection for pes planus, concluding that there is no persuasive evidence showing aggravation of the condition during service.,Regarding nonservice-connected pension prior to February 3, 2020, the Veteran's claim was denied due to his failure to cooperate with VA examinations and provide necessary medical records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected plantar keratoderma due to insufficient evidence regarding the side effects of terbinafine.

The Veteran's service connection for allergic rhinitis is granted. The claims of service connection for bilateral pes planus, right and left upper extremity radiculopathy, and right and left lower extremity radiculopathy are remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral plantar fasciitis is granted as the condition had its onset during his military service.

The Veteran's preexisting bilateral pes planus and left knee disability were aggravated during service, warranting service connection.,The Veteran's current left ankle disability is etiologically related to his in-service left ankle injuries.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of various conditions due to a lack of confirmed periods of active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty for training in the Appellant's record. The appeal was also remanded for further development regarding characterization of the Appellant's service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus, a bilateral ankle disability, bilateral hallux valgus, and bilateral plantar fasciitis are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of a 50% disability rating for bilateral pes planus, bilateral plantar fasciitis and recurrent left foot Morton's neuroma with degenerative arthritis due to lack of evidence showing marked deformity or pronation in the feet prior to November 23, 2020.

The Veteran's left ankle strain is rated at 10 percent, as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's maxillary sinusitis is rated at 10 percent due to three or less non-incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis characterized by headaches, pain, and purulent discharge or crusting.,The Veteran's bilateral flat feet are rated at 30 percent, as they meet the criteria for severe bilateral flatfoot with objective evidence of marked deformity (pronation, abduction, etc.).,The Veteran's right hip strain does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to normal range of motion.,The Veteran's left knee painful scar and anterior patella scar status post meniscus/ACL repair do not meet the criteria for a higher rating as they are both rated at 10 percent (compensable).,The Veteran's left knee degenerative arthritis with meniscal repair does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to flexion to no less than 100 degrees, locking, and pain.

The Veteran's service-connected right foot disability (fracture of the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th metatarsals) is associated with his acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as depression and anxiety). The Board finds that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder related to his active service and aggravated by his service-connected disabilities. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of left hand and right foot disabilities due to a concurrent appeal in the Legacy system. The Veteran's bilateral vision disability claim is remanded as there was a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a bilateral knee condition, IBS, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and lower back condition. The evidence does not support current diagnoses or a link between these conditions and active duty.