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

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for PTSD and bilateral plantar calluses due to insufficient evidence from recent VA examinations. The Veteran's request for a social and industrial survey, consideration of his SSA findings, and extraschedular review have also been addressed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disorder, pes planus, and diabetes mellitus type II due to incomplete examination requests and failure to notify the Veteran of his scheduled examinations. The AOJ is instructed to make additional attempts to verify the Veteran’s address and ensure he is properly notified.

The Veteran's right foot hallux rigidus, hallus valgus, degenerative changes at the first metatarsophalangeal joint, and plantar calcaneal spur are currently rated as 10 percent disabling prior to February 7, 2018. Since February 7, 2018, they remain rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus and right foot hallux valgus, as well as any respiratory disability, may be related to service. However, due to lack of medical records from certain VA facilities, a remand is necessary for further development.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations from October 2013 and March 2017 are inadequate to address direct service connection for the Veteran's foot disability. A new examination is needed, and additional development of the sleep apnea claim is required.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of his Social Security Administration records.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of cervical spine, left hip, right hip, bilateral foot disability (claimed as bilateral foot pain), and respiratory disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected recurrent right ankle sprain, plantar/calcaneal spurs and hallux valgus.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50% prior to December 22, 2017 and at 70% thereafter. The appeal for higher ratings remains pending as the issues have been remanded.

The Board has denied an earlier effective date for the award of a 30 percent rating for bilateral pes planus, as the increase in disability occurred more than one year prior to the claim. The issues of service connection for various disorders are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral pes planus was aggravated by her active duty service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including bilateral pes planus, dizziness, vertigo, tinnitus, sinusitis, unexplained chronic multi-symptom illnesses (claimed as stomach/abdomen gastritis), and GERD. The issues are being referred back to the AOJ for further development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for Hallux Valgus (bunions) of both feet and bilateral Pes Planus, finding no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for compensable initial ratings for various service-connected disabilities have been denied. The Board has remanded several of the issues for further evaluation, including those related to arthritis and wrist conditions.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities has been reopened. The claims are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding herbicide exposure during active service.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and dismissed the claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus. The issues of service connection for left wrist cyst, right foot disability, upper respiratory disability, sleep disorder, hypertension, carpal tunnel syndrome, temporomandibular joint disease, and bilateral hearing loss are remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee, right ankle, left foot, and right foot disabilities due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between these conditions and her military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of right foot, left knee, head injury residuals, and jaw disabilities have been denied. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the claims.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to increased ratings for bilateral foot, back, and right knee disabilities, as well as service connection for left knee and neck disorders due to a lack of VA treatment records after January 2006. The RO is instructed to obtain these records or provide a formal finding of unavailability.

The Veteran's claims for special home adaptation grant, financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or conveyance, and assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing have been denied due to the absence of a service-connected disability that meets the eligibility criteria.