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

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals because the appeal requests were not timely filed, and good cause was not shown for the late filing.

The Veteran's TDIU was granted effective June 8, 2023, due to his service-connected Generalized Anxiety Disorder.,The Veteran is also entitled to SMC based on housebound from June 8, 2023, as he has a single service-connected disability rated at 100% and additional disabilities independently ratable above 60%.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus, effective from October 24, 2025. Service connection for a back disability and right shoulder disability is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the inextricability of issues regarding an effective date for SMC and TDIU. Additional development is needed, including requesting employment information from former employers.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right ear hearing loss disability is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of right inguinal hernia status post surgical repair is granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for left heel spur and plantar fasciitis, status post surgical repair is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not precluded him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation at any time during the period on appeal, and therefore TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have been granted, with some increased evaluations and others denied. The effective dates for the grants are April 22, 2025.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis is related to his military service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of upper extremity neuropathy, and therefore service connection for this condition is denied. The claims for bilateral foot conditions, low back condition, left shoulder condition, right shoulder condition, left hip condition, right hip condition, left knee condition, right knee condition, left ankle condition, and right ankle condition are remanded due to the failure to provide a VA examination prior to the December 2024 rating decision.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted, effective from January 18, 2013. The Veteran also receives an effective date of January 18, 2013 for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraines, left knee injury, right hip injury, and left hip injury is denied as there is no persuasive evidence of a current disability.,Service connection for sleep apnea is also denied because the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis. The Board finds that his lay statements do not satisfy the third prong of McLendon v. Nicholson.

The Veteran's right foot pes planus with plantar fasciitis is rated at 10 percent prior to September 8, 2020 and at 20 percent thereafter. The Board found the evidence did not support a higher rating for any period.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further action on the issue of service connection for erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's bilateral varicose veins have been granted a rating of 40 percent effective February 13, 2023. The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis has not met the criteria for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent.,The Board denied higher ratings for the Veteran's service-connected bilateral varicose veins and bilateral plantar fasciitis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral foot and ankle disabilities due to inadequate VA examination reports. The Veteran is presumed to have had a current diagnosis of mild asymptomatic bilateral pes planus, but no other diagnosed bilateral foot conditions. The AOJ must obtain adequate VA opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left foot condition and pes planus, right foot with minimal hallux valgus of big toe and small muscle strain due to inadequate VA opinion in January 2024.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis, right hip osteoarthritis, left hip osteoarthritis, and right knee osteoarthritis, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) housebound benefits due to her service-connected PTSD and other disabilities that independently rate at 60 percent or more.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis are granted service connection, while the claim for a higher rating for her depressive disorder is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of an opinion on direct service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis and bilateral hallux valgus. The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is presumed to have existed prior to service.