{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/plantar-fasciitis","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:34:19.092Z","data_as_of":{"decisions":944125,"first_year":2017,"last_year":2026,"latest_decision":"2026-04-30","cfr":"2026-10-01","m21":"2026-09-29"},"about":{"publisher":"CaseScribe AI (VA Law Explorer)","source":"Public Board of Veterans' Appeals decisions (appeals of VA decisions, not VA's first decisions), M21-1 Adjudication Procedures Manual, 38 CFR Parts 3 and 4.","method":"Outcomes are issue-level: each condition the Board decided in a decision counts once. Decision data is extracted by AI and can contain errors. Rates describe past appeals and do not predict any claim.","disclaimer":"For research only. CaseScribe AI is not a law firm and this is not legal advice. Verify figures against the source decisions and regulations.","attribution":"Cite as: VA Law Explorer, CaseScribe AI, with the page URL."},"data":{"condition":"Plantar fasciitis","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":6315,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":23.4,"denied_pct":26.6,"remanded_pct":49.9,"granted_on_merits_pct":46.8,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":315,"granted_pct":18.1,"denied_pct":28.9,"remanded_pct":49.8},{"year":2018,"issues":495,"granted_pct":16.4,"denied_pct":25.5,"remanded_pct":53.3},{"year":2019,"issues":543,"granted_pct":18.6,"denied_pct":21,"remanded_pct":58.2},{"year":2020,"issues":654,"granted_pct":19.6,"denied_pct":26.9,"remanded_pct":52.3},{"year":2021,"issues":684,"granted_pct":22.4,"denied_pct":26.3,"remanded_pct":49.6},{"year":2022,"issues":710,"granted_pct":25.1,"denied_pct":21,"remanded_pct":52.8},{"year":2023,"issues":933,"granted_pct":24.8,"denied_pct":23.6,"remanded_pct":50.2},{"year":2024,"issues":1199,"granted_pct":24.1,"denied_pct":23.9,"remanded_pct":50.8},{"year":2025,"issues":1277,"granted_pct":24.7,"denied_pct":32,"remanded_pct":42.4},{"year":2026,"issues":448,"granted_pct":31.5,"denied_pct":28.1,"remanded_pct":40}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":69,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":862,"granted_pct_with":69.1,"granted_pct_without":41},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":4779,"granted_pct_with":45.2,"granted_pct_without":54.7},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":1181,"granted_pct_with":76.6,"granted_pct_without":35.6},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":3287,"granted_pct_with":46.8,"granted_pct_without":46.9},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":1978,"granted_pct_with":58.2,"granted_pct_without":40.1},{"evidence":"treating_physician","decisions_with":301,"granted_pct_with":69.6,"granted_pct_without":45.4},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":5238,"granted_pct_with":46.2,"granted_pct_without":51.5},{"evidence":"buddy_statement","decisions_with":212,"granted_pct_with":67.2,"granted_pct_without":46},{"evidence":"combat_service","decisions_with":325,"granted_pct_with":60.9,"granted_pct_without":46}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":250},{"reason":"caused by the service-connected disability","decisions":59},{"reason":"criteria for service connection met","decisions":26},{"reason":"service connection established","decisions":26},{"reason":"continuity of symptomatology since service","decisions":16},{"reason":"aggravated by the service-connected disability","decisions":14}],"denied":[{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":157},{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":135},{"reason":"no in-service complaints, treatment or diagnosis","decisions":130},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":126},{"reason":"no current diagnosis","decisions":121},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":102}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26040749","year":2026,"judge":"STEVEN D. REISS","rationale":"Inadequate VA opinions (factually incorrect and contradictory).; Presumption of sound condition upon entry.; Diagnosis shortly after service separation.; Benefit of the doubt doctrine applied due to approximate balance of evidence."},{"case_id":"A26040926","year":2026,"judge":"ANTHONY C. SCIRÉ, JR","rationale":"Direct service connection established; Caused by active duty; Benefit of doubt resolved in Veteran's favor"},{"case_id":"A26040955","year":2026,"judge":"MICHAEL J. SKALTSOUNIS","rationale":"At least as likely as not related to service; Plantar fasciitis is a recognized medical condition"}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26040791","year":2026,"judge":"ARDIE A. BLAND","rationale":"No evidence of in-service manifestation or result; No manifestation within one year of separation"},{"case_id":"A26040233","year":2026,"judge":"REBECCA N. POULSON","rationale":"No evidence of in-service injury to right foot; No current diagnosis or functional impairment of right foot; VA's duty to obtain examination not triggered"},{"case_id":"A26038659","year":2026,"judge":"GAYLE STROMMEN","rationale":"No current diagnosis of bilateral plantar fasciitis established.; No evidence of in-service event, injury, or disease related to plantar fasciitis.; No evidence of connection between claimed symptoms and service."}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}