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

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus, finding that his preexisting condition was not aggravated during military service.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating greater than 30 percent for service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis, left foot hallux valgus, right calcaneal spur, and degenerative arthritis of both feet was dismissed due to a claims processing error. The claim had already been granted with a combined disability rating of 30 percent in December 2024.

The Veteran was awarded service connection for a psychiatric disability, right foot disability, and headache disability in July 2024 with an effective date of March 1, 2024. He is seeking an earlier effective date prior to this.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to provide notice of the right to a hearing on the issues of entitlement to service connection for a neck disability, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and a right knee condition.

The Veteran's TDIU from May 18, 2021 is being remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. Additional development is needed to clarify the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, shoulder disability, spine disability, back injury, hip disability, foot disability, cataracts, heart issues, prostate cancer, and sleep apnea were not shown to have begun during service or be related to an in-service event, injury, or disease.,The Veteran's right knee disability was also not shown to have begun during service or be related to an in-service event, injury, or disease.

The Veteran's claims for glaucoma, bilateral foot disability, and sleep apnea were denied. The claim for allergic rhinitis was granted with a 10% rating assigned effective June 21, 2022 (the date of the supplemental claim). The claim for costochondritis with subluxations of the costochondral joints was granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right foot pes planus and hallux valgus due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The AOJ is required to obtain new medical opinions addressing whether the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service, including jumping out of aircraft as part of his duties, or improper healing of leg injuries sustained in service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle, left ankle, right foot, and left foot disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions began during active service or are related to an in-service injury.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection are being remanded due to procedural issues with the examinations conducted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a head injury is being remanded as there was no examination provided, and the examiner did not address all elements of secondary service connection.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for back condition is being remanded as there was no examination provided, and the examiner did not address all elements of secondary service connection.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for rectal cancer is being remanded due to procedural issues with the examinations conducted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for fracture right leg remains, to include as secondary to the service-connected left leg varicose veins, is being remanded due to procedural issues with the examinations conducted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is being remanded due to procedural issues with the examinations conducted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for varicose veins, right leg is being remanded due to procedural issues with the examinations conducted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for right hand arthritis is being remanded due to procedural issues with the examinations conducted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for seizures is being remanded due to procedural issues with the examinations conducted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for hemorrhoids is being remanded due to procedural issues with the examinations conducted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis in right knee is being remanded due to procedural issues with the examinations conducted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis in left knee is being remanded due to procedural issues with the examinations conducted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a kidney condition is being remanded due to procedural issues with the examinations conducted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for pes planus is being remanded due to procedural issues with the examinations conducted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis in right hip is being remanded due to procedural issues with the examinations conducted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for a bilateral foot disability, other than degenerative changes in his right metatarsophalangeal joint. The decision finds that the Veteran's current diagnoses and symptoms are related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for pes planus and lower back strain have been denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or in-service incurrence.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and arrhythmia have been remanded due to insufficient medical evidence on file.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the lack of a VA examination and opinion regarding his claimed conditions. The Board finds that additional development is necessary to determine if there is a link between the Veteran's current disabilities and his active service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right and left pes planus, as well as low back disability. The claim for migraines remains pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left foot plantar fasciitis and hearing loss disability, as well as his claim for a 10 percent rating based on multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities. The evidence did not support a finding of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus on the basis that it was aggravated by his military service. The evidence shows an increase in symptoms during service, and a private medical opinion supports this.

The appeal of the denial of entitlement to service connection for a back condition is dismissed. The claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral pes planus, left knee condition, and right knee condition are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of January 1, 2022.,The Veteran is now eligible for Dependent's Education Assistance (DEA) benefits under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35 from the same period.

The Board dismissed the appellant's appeals for restoration of ratings due to his request for withdrawal.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus preexisted his active duty service and was not aggravated by it, thus severing service connection for this condition. The appeal is denied.