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

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and PTSD are all granted as service-connected.,Left foot tendonitis, right foot tendonitis, neck disability, low back disability, bilateral pes planus, left heel calcaneal spur, right heel calcaneal spur, and hemorrhoids remain pending for further development.

This case involves multiple issues including an earlier effective date for bilateral pes planus, service connection for tinnitus with consideration of CUE in a 1977 rating decision, and ratings for right and left knee disabilities. The Board has remanded these matters due to the need for further action.,An earlier effective date is denied for the increased evaluation of 30 percent for bilateral pes planus as it was not factually ascertainable that an increase in disability occurred within one year prior to the claim filing on January 14, 2013. The Veteran's contention regarding tinnitus service connection is also denied due to lack of a formal or informal communication indicating intent to apply for service connection before June 14, 2010.,Right and left knee disabilities are remanded as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

An initial 50 percent rating for bilateral flat feet is granted, effective September 23, 2007. The claim of entitlement to an initial higher rating for degenerative arthritis of the spine prior to October 25, 2016 and thereafter is denied. The claims of entitlement to an initial higher rating for varicose veins of left lower extremity and right lower extremity are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right foot disorders, including plantar fasciitis, hallux rigidus/valgus, and pes cavus, are at least as likely as not related to his military service. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for tension headaches is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for a new VA audiological examination and opinion.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disorder, left ankle disorder, diabetes mellitus type II, carpal tunnel syndrome of the hands, low back disorder, hypertension, varicose veins, pulmonary sarcoidosis, and left foot disorder are all remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and opinion.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for right hand carpal tunnel syndrome, right ankle disorder, right knee disorder, right foot disorder (pes planus), and right varicose veins are not addressed as they do not involve secondary service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) have been granted service connection.,Other conditions, including right hand surgery residuals, lumbar spine disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, left flexor hallucis longus tendonitis, and right flexor hallucis longus tendonitis, are also granted service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for a left ankle disability was dismissed. The Board also remanded several issues of service connection, including for lower back, right shoulder, right hip, right ankle, bilateral knee, and bilateral foot disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of bilateral foot disability, hypertension, sleep apnea, and cervical spine disability.,New evidence submitted since previous final denial does not establish a new or material fact to reopen any of these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board granted his TDIU claim.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the issue of an increased evaluation for bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or maintain a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's right wrist ganglion cyst was diagnosed during her active service and is granted as service connected. The claims for increased ratings of bilateral plantar fasciitis, left great toe hallux valgus, and headache disability are remanded due to new evidence indicating worsening.

The Board has determined that the provided medical opinions are inadequate and requires an addendum to address whether the Veteran's headaches and left foot disability are proximately due or result from her service-connected bilateral knee retropatellar pain syndrome.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection and increased evaluations has been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeals.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted for a left knee disability, migraines, and right foot degenerative osteoarthritis. The claim for a left foot disability is denied. Service connection has also been granted for a lumbar spine disability but not for cervical degenerative joint disease.,The Veteran's right foot condition was found to be service-connected due to pre-existing conditions aggravated by active duty, and her migraines were found to have no direct link to service.

The Veteran's request to reopen a claim for service connection for a mental disorder (claimed as anxiety) including as secondary to service-connected foot disabilities was denied. The ratings for right and left foot plantar fasciitis with Achilles tendonitis associated with bilateral pes planus were also denied, as well as the compensable ratings for left foot second digit claw toe deformity and left fifth hammer toe deformity. The Veteran's Tailor's bunion (left foot) was not rated.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left and right hip disabilities, hearing loss, PTSD, left knee disability, right knee disability, left leg disability, right leg disability, left foot disability, and right foot disability. The Veteran's appeals are also remanded for development in relation to his service connection for respiratory disorders and hypertension.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to his failure to appear at scheduled VA examinations. The issues include service connection and disability ratings for bilateral foot disabilities, right knee instability, arthritis, and scar.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed conditions. The Veteran needs VA examinations to determine if his current bunions, ganglion cyst, right shoulder condition, low back condition, pes planus, and sleep apnea are related to his military service.

The Board denied compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a bilateral foot disability because there is no evidence of an additional foot disability stemming from VA care, and the Veteran's assertions were not supported by adequate medical opinion.