Foot (incl. plantar fasciitis, flat feet) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral foot and ankle conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining missing service treatment records and VA treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal involves claims for service connection and an earlier effective date, as well as retroactive VA compensation benefits. The Board has determined that additional examinations are needed to address the nature and etiology of any current left foot disability other than plantar fasciitis and a disability manifested by chronic fatigue.

Service connection for migraines as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and/or tinnitus is granted.,The criteria for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral tinnitus have not been met.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus, joint pain (including gout and osteoarthritis), fatigue, intestinal symptoms, abnormal weight loss, and acid reflux are not related to service or exposure to environmental hazards in Southwest Asia. The claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional development of his claims.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus and GERD have been granted service connection.,Both conditions are considered to be directly related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and plantar fasciitis of the left foot are related to his military service, warranting a grant of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and conduct further examinations. The issues on appeal include service connection for various disabilities, as well as rating claims.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for his service-connected disabilities has been denied. The highest schedular rating available for the right wrist disability is 10 percent, and there is no evidence of ankylosis or fusion. For the bilateral foot disability, the examination was inadequate as it did not include testing in weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing modes.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus, depressive disorder, and sleep apnea. Bilateral pes planus is found to have been aggravated by active duty service. The Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder is found to be etiologically related to his bilateral pes planus. Sleep apnea is found to be aggravated by the Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder.

The Veteran's right hand/wrist disability is not service-connected as it pre-existed his active duty and was not aggravated by service.,Fibromyalgia, respiratory disorder (COPD/Emphysema), and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are not service-connected as they did not manifest during or due to service. OSA is also not service-connected as it pre-existed his active duty and was not aggravated by service.,Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is service-connected as it first manifested after the Veteran's second period of service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including hypertension and rheumatoid arthritis. The issues of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim for service connection for bilateral leg disabilities were dismissed.

The Veteran's initial claims for increased ratings for his right and left foot plantar fasciitis with pes planus were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to June 18, 2015.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, right knee osteoarthritis, and pes planus. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD based on DSM-IV standards.

The Veteran's appeal involves claims for service connection, increased ratings, and TDIU. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain medical opinions regarding the relationship between his bilateral leg conditions and pes planus, as well as to schedule new examinations for ankle and visual field testing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current disabilities of her right or left feet. The evidence submitted since the January 2006 rating decision is considered new and material, but it does not establish a current disability. Therefore, service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.

The Veteran's claim to reopen the right upper extremity disability was denied as new and material evidence was not submitted.,The Veteran's claim to reopen the left foot disability was reopened due to the submission of new evidence, but service connection is still denied.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling new examinations. The TDIU issue is also inextricably intertwined with the other issues.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for xerosis affecting the plantar surfaces of the feet is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding whether terbinafine and other medications used are like or similar to corticosteroids or immunosuppressive drugs.