So should I file this all at once (obesity intermediate)

Yes, you should file for hypertension secondary to your service-connected plantar fasciitis with obesity as the intermediate step, as this is a legally viable path to service connection. The key is establishing the medical nexus: you must demonstrate through a medical opinion that your service-connected plantar fasciitis (likely through pain and reduced mobility, 38 CFR § 4.71a) has caused or significantly aggravated your obesity, and that your obesity, in turn, caused or aggravated your hypertension. This follows the principle established in case law like *Buchanan v. Nicholson*, which affirmed that a non-service-connected condition (like obesity) can be an "intermediate step" between a service-connected condition and a secondary disability. For your claim, you will need a strong, rationale-based medical nexus letter from a physician explicitly linking this chain. Hypertension is rated under 38 CFR § 4.104, Diagnostic Code 7101 (Hypertension). When filing, submit VA Form 21-526EZ, a current hypertension diagnosis, and all treatment records. Crucially, include a private Independent Medical Opinion (IMO) if possible, as it must detail the "aggravation" beyond the natural progression, referencing *DeLuca v. Brown*, and explain how your plantar fasciitis limits physical activity, leading to weight gain and subsequent hypertension. Do not file for obesity as a direct condition; frame the claim explicitly as "service connection for hypertension, secondary to service-connected plantar fasciitis, with obesity as an intermediate step."

*Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes regarding VA claims processes and is not intended as legal or medical advice. For guidance specific to your case, consult an accredited VA attorney or claims agent.*