The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for bilateral plantar fasciitis was denied, and his TDIU claim from July 22, 2022 was granted.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis is rated at the maximum allowable under Diagnostic Code 5276 (acquired flatfoot), which does not allow for a higher rating. The Board found no basis to grant a separate rating for calcaneal spurs, and concluded that separate ratings for plantar fasciitis and calcaneal spurs would be improper.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral plantar fasciitis, left shin splints, right shin splints, thoracolumbar spine disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- January 15, 2026
- Citation
- A26003981
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation A26003981.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for left and right shin splints, as well as an ulcer condition (duodenal ulcer), finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his active service.
- Dismissed
The appeals regarding the evaluation of bilateral plantar fasciitis and residuals of fractures of the second, fourth, and fifth left toes, as well as the evaluation of bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy with loss of use, are dismissed as untimely.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis and his service. The Veteran is seeking service connection for this condition.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing pes planus condition was aggravated by service. The effective date is August 15, 2025.
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