Foot (incl. plantar fasciitis, flat feet) decisions — 2017

The Board found that the Veteran's current left foot disorders, including heel spurs and plantar fasciitis, are not related to his military service. The in-service ankle injury resolved without long-term issues.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected thoracolumbar DDD, left shoulder osteoarthritis, and bilateral sciatica were denied as a matter of law due to the Veteran failing to report for scheduled VA examinations.,Service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis was denied because there is no competent evidence linking the current condition to active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are shown to be of such severity so as to preclude substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and experience, effective October 16, 2013.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to address his right knee disability. The claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus and TDIU are also being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Veteran was not granted any new evaluations or service connections.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left foot disabilities, as well as his claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability.,No new evidence or changes in law were provided to support reopening of any previously denied claims.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 40 percent from July 1, 2009 to March 14, 2013. The claim for service connection of a left eye disability was denied as there is no current diagnosis of glaucoma or other left eye disability. The Veteran meets the schedular requirements for consideration of TDIU due to her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence added to the claims file, and a VA examination is needed for both issues.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable prior to May 6, 1999, and the evidence does not indicate he was unable to obtain or maintain gainful employment due to his service-connected conditions alone for any period.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to evaluate the severity of his left inguinal hernia and scar associated with a left inguinal hernia disabilities, as well as an addendum medical opinion regarding the bilateral plantar calluses disability.

The Board has ordered a remand to clarify the nature of the Veteran's bilateral foot disability and its relationship to service. The appeal is currently in remand status.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records and to schedule her for appropriate VA examinations. The claims will be reconsidered based on the new evidence and examination results.

The Board has determined that an effective date earlier than February 11, 2011 for the grant of SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance is denied. The Veteran withdrew his prior claim for this benefit in March 2007.

The Veteran's right foot disability and left foot disability are not service-connected as there is no evidence of a nexus to his military service.,The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD or any other psychiatric disorder that manifested during service or is otherwise related to service. His current depression was diagnosed post-service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 151 for additional right foot disability as there was no evidence of a current disability within the meaning of VA regulations.

The claims for GERD, bilateral foot disability, and tinea pedis have all been reopened due to new and material evidence. The Veteran's current conditions are presumed to be related to his service.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to service connection for flat feet, including a need for medical opinions regarding whether pre-existing conditions existed prior to service and if any injuries during ACDUTRA aggravated or caused the condition.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left shoulder condition, dizziness and balance condition (to include TBI), bilateral plantar fasciitis, restrictive airways disease, and total disability rating due to individual unemployability were denied. The Veteran was granted increased ratings for migraine headaches, acquired psychiatric disorder, and back disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for pes planus, bilateral detached retinas, and left ankle arthritis. The Board found that there was no clear and unmistakable evidence of aggravation by service and concluded that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a new VA examination to address the nature and etiology of pes planus. The issues related to extraschedular rating for hemorrhoids and individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities are also being addressed.