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

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection of degenerative disease (other specified arthritis) of the first right MTPJ, right plantar fasciitis, and right Achilles tendinitis due to a duty-to-assist error. The Veteran's current disabilities are related to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to September 30, 2021. The effective date was not granted as there was no factually ascertainable increase in his service-connected disabilities within one year of the TDIU claim.

An increased rating to 50 percent disabling for bilateral plantar fasciitis, metatarsalgia with osteoarthritis is granted effective August 21, 2019.,A compensable rating for left knee limitation of extension prior to August 15, 2022 is denied.,A separate rating for right knee genu recurvatum under DC 5263 from August 21, 2019 is granted.,An earlier effective date for service connection for right knee peroneal nerve condition prior to August 15, 2022 is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of bilateral plantar fasciitis, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and increased ratings due to failure of the Veteran to attend scheduled VA examinations. The issues include residuals of broken fingers, residuals of right and left thumb injuries, a right foot disability other than Haglund's deformity, and a left foot disability other than Haglund's deformity.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for substance abuse, bilateral hearing loss, memory loss, bilateral ankle condition, bilateral feet condition, pes planus, and tinnitus due to lack of evidence showing a direct relationship with service. The appeals were dismissed as untimely.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left foot calcaneal plantar spur, right ankle ligament sprain, recurrent bilateral ear infections, chronic headaches, and erectile dysfunction (ED).,There is no evidence of a current disability in any of these conditions. The appellant's STRs are silent for complaints or treatment related to these issues.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral foot, left shoulder, and right shoulder disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to active service.

The Board denied service connection for plantar fasciitis, hallux valgus, and arthritis degenerative other than post traumatic (claimed as plantar fascia) due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.,Service connection was also denied for lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow), with the Board finding that there is no credible evidence showing the condition began during service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for skin disability, bilateral pes planus, and erectile dysfunction due to potential errors in previous decisions. The Veteran's current conditions are not established as service-connected.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the complexity of the issues.,The Veteran is seeking increased ratings for various disabilities, including bilateral plantar fasciitis, a surgical scar, cervical spine disability, left upper extremity radiculopathy, left hip disability, right knee disability, psychiatric disability, right ankle and left ankle disabilities, gastrointestinal disability, vocal cord dysfunction, sinusitis, tinea, and facial acne.

Your appeal has been dismissed because you requested to withdraw it.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for tinnitus is dismissed as the Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied due to lack of evidence showing hearing loss for VA purposes.,Affording the Veteran the benefit of doubt, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder) is granted.,The Veteran's right knee strain with limitation of flexion is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board finds no higher rating is warranted as there is no evidence showing more than limited flexion.,A separate 10 percent rating for right knee instability is granted.,Service connection for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis is denied, and a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence provided.,The Veteran's left lower extremity sciatic radulopathy and right lower extremity sciatic radulopathy are each rated at 10 percent.,A higher rating for service-connected left foot pes planus and plantar fasciitis is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of evidence in the record, specifically an Intent to File submitted on July 24, 2023. The AOJ must ensure this submission is associated with the file and take any necessary actions to fulfill VA's duty to assist.

The Board dismissed the appeal of a proposal to reduce the disability rating for bilateral pes planus. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for tinnitus was denied, and his claim for service connection for a penile disorder is being remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for his right knee medical collateral ligament strain and bilateral plantar fasciitis, metatarsalgia, and hallux valgus with residuals of right foot fracture is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.,An increased rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbar strain remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including chronic bronchitis, respiratory disability, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, widespread muscle pains, sinusitis, left foot pes planus, right foot pes planus, right ear hearing loss, and a right shoulder disability have all been denied. The Board found no current disabilities for VA purposes in relation to these claims.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted an initial 70 percent rating, effective December 2022.,Left great ingrown toenail residuals were denied a compensable rating.

The Veteran's right hip disability is denied as there was no in-service injury or disease affecting the hip.,Service connection for refractive error of the eye is denied due to it being a congenital defect and not an acquired disease or injury.

The Board has granted service connection for aggravation of pre-existing pes planus and service connection for plantar fasciitis, finding that the Veteran's conditions started in service and have continued since.