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

The Veteran's current right hip condition is granted as service connected. The claims for a right hand condition, left hip condition, plantar fasciitis of the left foot, and plantar fasciitis of the right foot are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for colon polyps and right foot plantar fasciitis, finding that the Veteran's conditions began during or are causally related to active military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment since June 20, 2018.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions including bilateral hearing loss, left knee disability, lower back disability, sleep apnea, depression, anxiety disorder, insomnia, head pain (also claimed as sores on the head), and flat feet (also claimed as irritation feet) due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board denied service connection for a headache disorder and bilateral pes planus, finding no evidence of current disabilities or causation. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder was dismissed as the Veteran already had service connection for PTSD.,Service connection for bilateral pes planus and a headache disorder were both denied due to lack of present disability and causal relationship.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is rated at 30 percent, the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 5276. The Board found that the disability does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus and left foot tendinitis, as well as his claim for a psychiatric disorder. The case is being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error and needs additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of hypertension.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus and deviated septum, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability or any increase in severity during service. The Veteran did not provide sufficient medical evidence to support his claims.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for right foot pes planus (flatfoot) has been denied. The evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's symptoms more closely approximate severe bilateral flatfeet.

The Board has granted effective dates of November 6, 2021, for the grant of service connection for bilateral pes planus, lumbar strain, left lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve), and right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve).

The Veteran's eligibility for the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) is being remanded due to a lack of explanation in the April 2021 decision regarding whether participation in the program was in his best interest. The Board finds that the Veteran requires personal care services due to disabilities including posttraumatic stress disorder, tension headaches, and others.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that there was no current diagnosis of chronic sinusitis, chronic fatigue syndrome, or right quadricep strain. For the issues related to bilateral plantar fasciitis, cervical spine disability, neck surgery scar, shoulder disabilities, ankle disabilities, knee disabilities, allergic rhinitis, and migraine headaches, the evidence did not support a finding that they were incurred in service.

The Board has remanded the cases of bilateral plantar fasciitis, headaches, and sleep apnea for further development. The Veteran's service connection claims are not supported by presumptive exposure to contaminants at Camp Lejeune, but a VA medical opinion is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right foot disability as secondary to his service-connected right leg disability.

The appeal of the earlier effective date for GERD disability is dismissed. The appeal of an earlier effective date for service connection for left hand scars is dismissed as it constitutes a freestanding claim and would otherwise be impermissible.

The Board dismissed the legacy appeal for bilateral pes planus and granted service connection for a skin condition of the bilateral foot. The Veteran's skin condition is at least as likely as not related to trauma experienced in service.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to readjudicate the claims for service connection for cervicalgia, low back pain, and a bilateral foot disability. The claims are being remanded for further review.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for right and left foot conditions has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has determined that the VA examiner's opinion is inadequate and remands the case for an addendum opinion to address whether the Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis had its onset during military service, was caused by, or is otherwise related to his military service.