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

The Board has determined that the effective dates for increased disability ratings of atopic dermatitis, lumbar strain with scoliosis, and bilateral plantar fasciitis should be August 27, 2014.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions. The issues include bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, shin splints, shoulder disorders, frostbite, psychiatric conditions, traumatic brain injury, headaches, wrist, hip, ankle, knee, elbow, little finger, plantar fasciitis, joint pain, back pain, neck pain, erectile dysfunction, sleep apnea, skin disorder, and eye problems.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left foot disability, including pes planus, plantar fasciitis, rear foot valgus, and sinus tarsi syndrome, is at least as likely as not due to his active service. As a result, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral foot disability, including bilateral plantar fasciitis and heel spurs due to insufficient competent medical evidence on file.

The Board has allowed the Veteran's claim to be reopened due to new evidence submitted since the last final denial. The case is now remanded for further development and an examination.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, a liver disorder, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including as secondary to the service-connected knee disabilities), and pes planus. The decision found that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all the claims currently before the Board, including increased ratings for various conditions and a compensable rating for early giant papillary conjunctivitis.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral ankle disability, bilateral pes planus, and bilateral plantar fasciitis with hallux rigidus as the evidence did not show that these conditions were related to military service.

The Board denied the claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, pes planus, paranoid schizophrenia, residuals of a back injury, and frostbite. The claim for diabetes mellitus was reopened but not granted as there is no evidence linking it to service.

The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of unauthorized medical treatment is remanded due to the need for additional VA records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete service records and a need for a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging for examinations to address the Veteran's claims.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral shoulder, hip, foot, ankle, and knee disabilities as well as right ear hearing loss due to lack of current diagnoses and insufficient evidence linking these conditions to service or service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right foot numbness is related to his service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a back disability and a higher rating for bilateral foot disability due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis is granted a 10 percent rating from October 19, 2011 to April 2, 2014. The Board has determined that the evidence does not support a higher rating for this period. For his right and left knee disabilities, the Veteran's claim is remanded as there may be a material worsening of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral pes planus is remanded. The issues of service connection for back and leg disabilities are also referred to the AOJ.

The Board denied an extraschedular evaluation for palmoplantar keratoderma, finding that the available schedular evaluations were adequate and there was no evidence of marked interference with employment or frequent periods of hospitalization.

The Board denied service connection for a right foot disability, left foot disability, sleep apnea, and an acquired psychiatric disorder manifested by insomnia.,All four claims were denied as the evidence did not support a finding that any of these conditions are related to military service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The issues of service connection for left foot pes planus with corns and hammer toes, as well as initial compensable ratings for right foot pes planus with corns and hammer toes are remanded due to conflicting medical evidence.