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

The Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and bilateral pes planus are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current right ear hearing loss, pes planus (flat feet), or sleep apnea that is related to service.,The Veteran's flat feet were noted at entry into service and remained asymptomatic throughout his career. The VA examiner found no evidence of aggravation during service.

The Veteran is in need of regular aid and attendance due to her service-connected disabilities, including hypothyroidism with bradycardia, depression with a mood disorder, thoracolumbar spine strain with ankylosing spondylitis, and other conditions. The Board has determined that she meets the criteria for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for plantar fasciitis, right arm strain, bilateral hand injury, left thumb injury, and right thumb injury due to a lack of current diagnoses or evidence linking these conditions to her military service.,Specifically, the Board found that there is no current diagnosis of any of these conditions in the Veteran's medical records.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for all claims related to pes planus, lumbar stenosis, tinnitus, and other service-connected conditions. The appeals are dismissed.

The Board has determined that additional medical opinions and examinations are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection, as well as his increased rating claims. The issues of entitlement to higher ratings for various knee disorders, hallux valgus, and hemorrhoids have also been remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of right shoulder GSW, right shoulder tendonitis, and obstructive sleep apnea is granted. The claim for increased ratings for left foot pes planus, painful scar, linear scar, and hallux valgus remains denied.

The Board denied compensable ratings for plantar fasciitis, allergic rhinitis, and hypertension. The Veteran's symptoms were found to be mild or not significantly impacting his daily life.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations.,An effective date earlier than July 1, 2014 for TBI and June 9, 2014 for tinnitus cannot be granted as there are no prior unadjudicated formal or informal claims.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's back and neck disabilities. The loss of a tooth case is denied as there is no evidence of dental condition related to service.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis is rated at 20 percent for each foot, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right knee disorder, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and bilateral pes planus due to inadequate examinations. The VA is required to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of any right knee disorder, as well as the current severity and manifestations of his service-connected left knee disability, lumbar spine disability, and bilateral foot disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for pes planus, hypertension, and a gynecological disorder due to new evidence received after the most recent Supplemental Statements of the Case (SOC). The Veteran should be afforded VA examinations to address her current diagnoses and determine their etiology.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection due to incomplete information and need for additional etiology opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including back injury, heart disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and schizophrenia), head injury, and bilateral foot disability. The decision also remanded several issues.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right ankle disability and bilateral foot disabilities, including plantar fasciitis and residual of stress fractures. The evidence did not support a causal relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral ankle and foot disabilities due to inconsistencies in the VA examiner's report, changes in diagnoses since the last examination, and need for further evaluation.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for flat feet and a left knee condition due to the need for VA examinations.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral foot condition and left knee condition, finding no evidence linking the conditions to military service.,Service connection was also not granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression and alcohol abuse).

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal regarding the denial of compensation for demyelinating disease with retrobulbar neuritis, left eye (NS). The claim is dismissed.,The Veteran also requested to withdraw his appeal regarding service connection for a visual defect. The claim is dismissed.