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

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis have not met the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to January 8, 2024. A separate 10 percent rating is warranted for plantar fasciitis from February 7, 2021 onward.

The Veteran's LKS is rated at 10% and his limitation of extension is rated as noncompensable. The Veteran was granted a 30% rating for RFS effective February 24, 2025.,The Veteran's RRV remains at the maximum allowable rating.

The Board denied service connection for right foot metatarsalgia (Morton's disease) and arthritis of the right foot, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for pes planus and right shoulder disorder have been dismissed. The denial of service connection for a right shoulder disorder is upheld, with the Board noting that there is no current diagnosis or disability related to this condition. The issues of increased ratings for left hip flexor strain and thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease and scoliosis are remanded due to inadequate examination reports not addressing flare-ups. The TDIU claim prior to February 1, 2021, is also remanded.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, neck disability, right knee disability, bilateral pes planus, and history of fracture of left fifth metatarsal. The decision also noted that the Veteran's hypertension claim was remanded.

The appeals for increased evaluations and service connection have been dismissed or are pending further development due to the failure to obtain necessary medical records. The Veteran's tinnitus is rated at its maximum allowable level.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis and metatarsalgia, hallux valgus, chronic heel pain, and tendinosis are granted as service-connected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus, which pre-existed his active service, was aggravated by such service and grants entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for allergic rhinitis, OSA, right hand disorder, left hand disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, right foot disorder, and left foot disorder due to insufficient evidence regarding their onset or relationship to service. The claims are being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require the aid and attendance of another person, warranting special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity (LLE), and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity (RLE) are all granted as secondary to his now service-connected lumbar spine disability. The bilateral foot plantar fasciitis is also granted as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's service connection claims for neuropathy tremors numbness, right hand and left hand, right knee condition, and back condition as secondary to pes planus have been granted. The claim for neuropathy tremors numbness, left foot has also been granted. However, the claim for neuropathy tremors numbness, right foot and left knee condition remains denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions and duty-to-assist errors.

The Board has restored a 50 percent rating for bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis, effective September 1, 2020, as the reduction from 50 to 30 percent was not proper due to lack of improvement in the Veteran's ability to function under ordinary conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for bilateral hearing loss was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision.,Service connection for tinnitus is granted, with the Board finding that the Veteran has provided competent and credible statements regarding the continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board has determined that more development is needed to determine if the Veteran's current disabilities are related to service, but as of now, there is no evidence supporting a finding of service connection for any of the claimed conditions.

The Board has determined that more development is needed to determine if the Veteran's current disabilities are related to service, but as of now, there is no evidence supporting a finding of service connection for any of the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder with alcohol use disorder and sleep apnea, have resulted in a combined rating of 100 percent. He is already receiving special monthly compensation at the housebound rate due to his service-connected disabilities. Therefore, the issue of entitlement to a TDIU is moot.

The Veteran's increased rating for bilateral pes planus is denied as the evidence does not show an improvement in his ability to function under ordinary conditions of life and work.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, chronic sinusitis, Meniere's disease, and vertigo. The Veteran's tinnitus was not found to be related to service.