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

The Board denied service connection for a back disability and bilateral foot disability, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and service.,For the extraschedular evaluations of left ankle instability and right ankle sprains, the Board also denied them, stating there was no evidence to suggest they were due to obesity or other service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence being associated with the claims file, and a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC) is required if the claim is not fully granted.

The Veteran's left foot condition, initially rated as strain and later changed to plantar fasciitis, is not found to warrant a rating higher than the current 30 percent for any period of time.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral pes planus was aggravated by service.

The Veteran's low back disability is granted service connection, and his bilateral foot disability is denied. The rating for the right arm scars is also granted.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, migraine headaches prior to September 22, 2014, and hypertension have been granted service connection. The Veteran's right knee patellofemoral dysfunction, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and psychiatric disorder are remanded for further development.

The Board dismissed the appeals for higher initial ratings for a right ankle disability, residuals of a left shoulder injury, and residuals of a right tarsonavicular fracture (right foot disability) as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to the promulgation of a decision.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus should be remanded to allow for further examination and opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his foot disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical spine degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, and bilateral pes planus are being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, right lateral superior iliac crest, pes planus, and left lower extremity are all denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's right wrist disability is rated at 10 percent, but no higher. The bilateral pes planus with arthritis and heel spurs was granted a 10 percent rating prior to December 17, 2014, and denied any increase thereafter. Bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disability, left foot disability, and bilateral hearing loss. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder was granted but the issue is recharacterized as PTSD.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (likely PTSD) is granted.

Service connection for a bilateral foot condition, to include pes planus is granted. Entitlement to an initial evaluation of 10 percent disabling for status post small bowel obstruction is also granted. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, to include depression and PTSD, is remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus began during his active service and is granting service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, left foot disability, and left ankle disability due to insufficient service dates provided. The appellant is seeking service connection for these conditions based on in-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current abdominal disability or bilateral knee disability that is related to service. The claims for bilateral pes planus and talonavicular joint collapse are remanded as no opinion was provided regarding whether these conditions were aggravated by service-connected plantar fasciitis. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for plantar fasciitis is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including arthritis and knee/foot issues. The reasons are that VA failed to obtain relevant in-service medical records and did not have a fully informed decision due to lack of opinions from VA examiners regarding the claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases due to outstanding VA treatment records and requests for additional evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a right foot disability, left foot disability, and PTSD. The Veteran was not provided with an opportunity to contest his initial rating of 30 percent for PTSD in full. He is now seeking a higher rating.