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

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for a 50% disability rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis is dismissed because the June 2020 decision was not in the initial decision framework of the Appeals Modernization Act (AMA).

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left and right foot disabilities, finding that these conditions were aggravated by service.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions including asthma, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, GERD, migraine headaches, diabetes, psychiatric disabilities (adjustment disorder, anxiety, and depression), PTSD, plantar fasciitis, left knee disability, and low back disability due to a lack of current diagnoses or evidence linking these conditions to service.

New and relevant evidence has been submitted to warrant readjudication of the Veteran's claims for left knee, chronic fatigue syndrome, obstructive sleep apnea, plantar fasciitis, and stomach disability (GERD). The claims are being remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and therefore service connection for this condition is denied. The remaining issues on appeal are remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's lumbosacral strain is secondary to his service-connected bilateral flat feet, but a remand is required to obtain an addendum medical opinion addressing whether the flat feet aggravated the lumbosacral strain.

The Board denied service connection for low back, right ankle, left foot plantar fasciitis, and right foot plantar fasciitis conditions. The claims were based on the Veteran's contention that these conditions were incurred in or due to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including PTSD and multiple orthopedic disabilities, have rendered her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since March 6, 2013.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC higher than the (l) + (1/2) rate due to lack of anatomical loss or use of extremities, blindness, or permanent bedridden status.

The Board has dismissed all appeals related to the veteran's claims for increased ratings, service connection, effective dates, and TDIU. The veteran withdrew his appeals in November 2025.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered her unemployable, but an award of special monthly compensation at the housebound rate is not for assignment due to the presence of other service-connected conditions. Therefore, entitlement to a TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis and right hallux valgus were not found to warrant an earlier effective date or a compensable rating, as the symptoms did not meet the criteria for such from the initial claim date of October 5, 2018.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU, but he meets the schedular requirements beginning on August 8, 2024. The Board is unable to grant an extraschedular TDIU based on the evidence of record.

The Board has remanded the claims for heart disease, hypertension, bilateral foot disability (including plantar fasciitis and pes planus), right knee pain, right shoulder pain, sciatica, and sleep disorder due to a deficiency in the record prior to the decision on appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to January 25, 2014 due to lack of evidence showing that his service-connected disabilities prevented him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for pes planus, low back condition, right hip condition, and bilateral knee condition due to inadequate VA examination opinions. The Veteran must undergo additional examinations or obtain supplemental medical opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical examination and opinion, requiring further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased rating and service connection due to incomplete development of her claims, particularly regarding her bilateral plantar fasciitis and other orthopedic conditions. The AOJ is required to conduct further examinations and obtain medical opinions to address these issues.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings and earlier effective dates for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, left eye disability, tinnitus, lumbar spondylosis with facet arthrosis and Schmorl nodes, right wrist disability (status post ganglion cyst removal), night coughing, chest pain and recurring rib displacement, chronic sinusitis, chronic rhinitis, headache disability, bilateral pes planus, right hand disability, and left knee disability has been dismissed due to untimely filings of the Notice of Disagreement.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right hand carpal tunnel syndrome, which is secondary to his service-connected right shoulder disability, has been granted. The claims for bilateral foot and back disabilities are being remanded due to insufficient evidence.