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

The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for bilateral pes planus and also alleges that there was clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in a previous rating decision. The Board has determined these issues are inextricably intertwined and must be remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right foot disability, finding that his pre-existing pes planus did not increase in severity during service and was not aggravated by service. The VA examiner concluded that any current Achilles tendonitis is also congenital and not related to service.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, right hip disability, and osteopenia. The claim for bilateral flat feet and plantar fasciitis was granted.,Service connection for the right knee disability is not warranted as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right ankle disability has been reopened. The Board finds new and material evidence to support the reopening of this claim. Other claims, including secondary service connection for back and left knee disabilities and bilateral pes planus, as well as TDIU, are remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records and need for an addendum opinion.

The Veteran's initial ratings for various service-connected conditions were granted or denied. The appeal is mixed, with some issues having their initial ratings granted and others not.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting evidence regarding whether the Veteran has flat feet (pes planus) and if it is related to service. A new examination is required to determine these issues.

The Veteran's bilateral pes cavus with plantar fasciitis was rated at 30% prior to June 16, 2015. From that date forward, the maximum rating of 50% is assigned.

The Board has dismissed all issues of entitlement to service connection due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including those for left knee disability, blindness in both eyes, psychiatric disabilities, decreased bone density, low back disability, and foot disability. The AOJ is instructed to obtain updated VA treatment records, Social Security Administration (SSA) decision and award letters, pay stubs from Puerto Rico Army National Guard service, verify the exact dates of each period of Active Duty for Training (ACDUTRA) and Inactive Duty Training (INACDUTRA), and schedule a VA examination to determine the nature, initial onset dates, etiologies, and relationships between the Veteran's disabilities and his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not related to his active military service. Service connection was denied for bilateral hearing loss, hammer toe, low back disability, foot and leg disabilities, and coronary artery disease.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development regarding whether the Veteran's claimed appliances and medications are related to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has dismissed the claim of entitlement to service connection for an eating disorder. The remaining issues have been remanded due to incomplete records and need for new VA examinations.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, but denied reopening of his claims for service connection for bilateral foot disability and back disability. The case is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus is granted an initial 30 percent rating prior to January 19, 2016.

The Veteran's low back, pes planus, and bilateral knee disabilities are granted as direct service connection. The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50%.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for whether new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen claims for service connection for bilateral rotator cuff tear, bilateral torn plantar fascia, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression was reopened due to the submission of new evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his failure to report for VA examinations and because he provided good cause. The cases are now being sent back for further examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left foot plantar fasciitis, right foot plantar fasciitis, and sleep apnea due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the onset of these conditions during periods of active duty.

The Veteran's bilateral flat feet are currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his disability.

The Board denied service connection for a right wrist disorder with degenerative changes and bilateral pes planus, finding no evidence of in-service injury or disease that led to the current disabilities.