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

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for DJD of the lumbar spine and bilateral pes planus have been dismissed because he withdrew his appeal in writing.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to insufficient evidence, including for an acquired psychiatric disability, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, right foot disability, neurological disabilities of the upper extremities, and other issues. The appeal does not involve any service connection decisions.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right thigh disability, weight gain, insomnia, bilateral hand and foot disabilities, and seizure disorder due to lack of evidence supporting these conditions in service or their relationship to service.

The Board has granted service connection for left foot disability, urinary stress incontinence, and residuals of a miscarriage to include secondary depression. The Veteran's testimony was found credible and the benefit of doubt was afforded due to missing service records.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for plantar fasciitis and pes planus, as well as the claim for sleep apnea. The Veteran's claims will be reviewed to determine if new evidence supports reopening her previous denied claim for plantar fasciitis. Additionally, a VA opinion is needed regarding whether the Veteran’s sleep apnea is related to in-service symptoms reported by her roommates and herself.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right foot disability has been reopened and granted. The claims for service connection for back disability and throat disability have not been reopened.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, depressive disorder with anxious distress features, OSA, and lower back condition has been granted. The Veteran's claim for bilateral plantar fasciitis was reopened due to new evidence received since the previous denial in 2009. Service connection is established for these conditions.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for right wrist pain, lumbosacral strain, colds, upper respiratory infections (claimed as sinus disorder), and bunions with hallux valgus deformity, partially compensated flat feet. The claims are being remanded due to a lack of VA examinations addressing these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine, lumbar spine, left foot, chronic fatigue syndrome, and obstructive sleep apnea disabilities. The claims for seizure disorder and blackouts/convulsions have been reopened.,Service connection was also granted for chronic sinusitis and lung cancer.

The Board has decided to remand several claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates, including those related to the Veteran's back disability, knee disabilities, foot disabilities, migraines, TDIU, and DEA.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for service connection due to lack of evidence showing a claim was filed prior to November 27, 2012.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or by reason of being housebound due to a lack of an appropriate VA examination. The examiner must clarify if the Veteran is limited in his ability to bathe and toilet as a result of service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, chronic gastritis, flat feet, left foot heel spur, right foot heel spur, bilateral plantar fasciitis, cervical strain with degenerative arthritis, lumbosacral strain, left ankle disability (status post left ankle fracture, status post open reduction internal fixation with degenerative arthritis), right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome. The claims were remanded for additional examinations and to obtain updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of a foot disability, including athlete's foot.

Service connection is denied for a right hip disability, right ankle disability, pes planus, GERD, and bruxism.,The Veteran's service treatment records do not show any current diagnoses of these conditions.

The Board denied increased ratings for bilateral plantar fasciitis and right patellar tendonitis, but granted a rating of 10% for right patellar tendonitis prior to April 15, 2016. The appeal regarding left knee disability is referred back to the AOJ due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claims for left foot disability and lumbar spine disability, both related to his service-connected right foot disability, were denied as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions are proximately due to or aggravated by the service-connected right foot disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if the Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's current combined disability rating of 60% allows him to be eligible for a TDIU, but he needs to provide information about his employment history and participation in VA’s Vocational Rehabilitation program.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for residuals of a back injury and granted it. The issue of service connection for bilateral foot disabilities to include pes planus and eczema is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a lower back disability and foot disability due to insufficient examination reports. The Veteran is being asked to provide additional evidence or undergo further examinations.