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

The Board has determined that the VA examination is incomplete and requires a new one to address whether the Veteran's bilateral pes planus, degenerative joint disease, and metatarsalgia are related to her service-connected hallux valgus, status post bunionectomy, hammer toes, and callous disabilities. The examiner must also determine if these conditions are aggravated by her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for right foot plantar fasciitis and remanded the issues of left foot disorders, including calcaneal spurs and hallux valgus.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left foot plantar fasciitis and heel spur syndrome, based on the aggravation of a pre-existing condition during active duty.

Service connection for allergic rhinitis is granted. Service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, muscle and joint pain of the back and shoulders, PTSD, and stimulant use disorder and alcohol use disorder are remanded.

The petition to reopen the claim of service connection for bilateral pes planus is granted.,Entitlement to service connection for right ear hearing loss is denied.,Entitlement to a compensable evaluation for left ear hearing loss is denied.,Entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for fatty liver disease is denied.,Entitlement to an effective date prior to September 17, 2013, for the award of service connection for left ear hearing loss is denied.,Entitlement to an effective date prior to September 17, 2013, for the award of service connection for fatty liver disease is denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals on all issues related to pes planus, achilles tendonitis, GERD, and neuropathy of the feet before a decision was made.

The Board denied service connection for a right ankle disability and pes planus, finding no current disabilities related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis is currently rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 5276. The Veteran does not meet criteria for a higher rating as her symptoms do not include marked deformity or inward bowing of the tendon Achilles.,The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), reflux and helicobacter pylori are currently rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Codes 7319 and 7346. The Veteran does not meet criteria for a higher rating as her symptoms do not include persistent recurrent epigastric distress with dysphagia, pyrosis, and regurgitation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating, as well as his claim for a TDIU. The Veteran is required to provide updated medical records and complete VA forms. He also needs to undergo examinations for his ankle disorders, foot conditions, and mental health issues.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for various foot, knee, back, neck, and shoulder conditions due to new evidence. The issues of increased ratings for asthma, migraines, PTSD, and service connection for right knee, neck, trapezius disorder (claimed as back and neck trapezius strain and a right shoulder disorder), thoracic outlet syndrome, bilateral pes planus, metatarsalgia, and left foot tendonitis are remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for plantar warts of both feet have been dismissed as the appeal was withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions have been granted with effective dates based on when he filed his claims, not necessarily when the disabilities were first diagnosed or treated.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for her bilateral foot conditions, finding that there was no evidence of in-service aggravation and concluding that any current conditions are not related to her active service.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for bilateral plantar fasciitis, as he was satisfied with the April 2016 rating decision.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for further development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations. The specific issues on appeal include ratings for various service-connected disabilities and a claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral knee and upper respiratory conditions. The lower back and foot disabilities are denied as there is no medical evidence linking them to service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis is rated at 50 percent disabling from June 12, 2017. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's bilateral flat feet and left ankle disability are rated at the maximum allowable under their respective diagnostic codes, with no basis for a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability and a right foot disability, finding that the current disabilities are not related to service or any service-connected conditions.,Service connection was denied as there is no evidence of chronicity or continuity of symptomatology after discharge.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral pes planus was aggravated by her service, and a new examination is needed.