Foot (incl. plantar fasciitis, flat feet) Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral shoulder condition, a bilateral foot disability, and an initial compensable rating for hypertension.,There is no current diagnosis related to the Veteran's bilateral shoulders or feet. The VA examiner found that any current bilateral foot disability was less likely than not incurred in service.

The claims for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder, memory loss/memory problems, chronic fatigue, sleep difficulties/sleep disturbances, and sleep apnea have been denied. The claim for service connection for residuals of testicular denervation and varicosectomy has been granted.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for right foot disability status post Mitchell's bunionectomy is granted with an effective date of July 25, 2023.,The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for left foot disability status post Mitchell's bunionectomy is dismissed as it does not meet the criteria for an earlier effective date.

The Board has found duty to assist errors and remanded the claims for further development, including obtaining service treatment records and any outstanding relevant records. The Veteran is also seeking service connection for HIV-related illnesses with depression.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral pes planus with hammer toes, hallux valgus and degenerative arthritis, sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and bilateral kidney cysts, rendered him unable to secure or follow gainful employment. The Board granted the TDIU based on these conditions.

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.

The Veteran's right ankle sprain, lumbar strain, bilateral plantar fasciitis, headaches (tension), and erectile dysfunction are all granted as service connection. The Veteran's asthma is also granted as service connection. However, the Veteran's muscle pain/spasms do not meet VA compensation criteria.,Service connection for these conditions is based on their onset during or shortly after service.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 50% and cannot be increased.,SMC at the housebound rate is granted from January 11, 2021 due to multiple service-connected disabilities.,A TDIU rating effective October 28, 2011 is granted based on inability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to migraine headaches.,Eligibility for DEA benefits is granted but no earlier than the date of claim (April 5, 1999).

The Board denied service connection for ganglion cyst, bilateral shoulder pain, and pes planus with plantar fasciitis. The Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.,There is no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's current conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral foot disability is related to his active military service and grants service connection for this condition.

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.

The Board denied the Appellant's requests for earlier effective dates for his service connection for bilateral pes planus and gynecomastia scar residuals, finding that the earliest possible effective dates are the dates of receipt of the claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has found that additional development is needed to determine if any of the claimed disabilities are related to active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including TBI, chronic fatigue syndrome, pes planus, GERD, asthma, left hand condition, right hand condition, sleep apnea, and gout have been denied. The Board has remanded the claims for lumbosacral strain and bilateral knee strains.

The Board has determined that the claims for increased rating and service connection must be remanded due to inadequate examinations and duty-to-assist errors.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for service connection of a bilateral foot condition due to lack of STRs and need for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been granted. The initial rating of 10 percent, but not higher, has been assigned for pulmonary sarcoidosis. Service connection has also been established for migraine headaches, degenerative arthritis in the left knee, right knee disorder (osteoarthritis), right ankle sprain, right shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis, bilateral flat feet, and various foot conditions.

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.

The Board has denied service connection for neck, upper back, lower back, bilateral hip, bilateral ankle, and foot disabilities. Service connection for a left shoulder disability is also denied.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for Marfan's syndrome was dismissed as the appellant withdrew his request.,Service connection is granted for left lower extremity neuropathy of the sciatic nerve (left foot disability) and peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity. The low back degenerative arthritis has also been granted.