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

The Veteran's left foot plantar fasciitis was not service-connected, and his lumbar spine disability received a 40% rating beginning January 29, 2018. The initial increased ratings for the lower extremity radiculopathy were denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hand disability and hypertension are not service connected. The rating for his bilateral plantar fasciitis is granted at 50% from February 17, 2015, but denied prior to that date and in excess of 50% thereafter.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for low back disability, left foot disability, HTN, diabetes mellitus, and PTSD due to the need for additional development of evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the service connection for a bilateral foot disability, including cold injury. The Veteran's current foot disabilities may be related to his self-described cold exposure during active service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination to determine if the Veteran's right foot condition, including pes planus, plantar fasciitis, and/or plantar spurring, is related to service. The initial hypertension rating remains granted at 10%.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral foot disability, a bilateral knee disability, and a back disability.

The Veteran's left knee degenerative arthritis is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds no basis for a higher rating.,The Veteran's right and left plantar fasciitis and calcaneal spur with degenerative joint disease are each rated at 20 percent.,PTSD is rated at 50 percent.,Service connection for shortness of breath, lumbar spine disorder, and sleep apnea secondary to PTSD is remanded.,The Veteran's lower back condition was denied in a final November 2011 rating decision.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left hip, left foot, right foot, and low back disabilities due to the need for further medical opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for low back disability, tinnitus, and acquired psychiatric disorder (including anxiety and depression). The claim for increased rating of left foot plantar fasciitis is denied. A remand is ordered to obtain a nexus opinion regarding the acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are related to his in-service noise exposure. The right foot pes planus was also found to have been aggravated by service.,Service connection is granted on an aggravation basis for right foot pes planus, with the presumption of aggravation applying due to pre-existing condition.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is rated at a 20 percent rating. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for psychiatric and neck disabilities, as well as entitlement to TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence in his service treatment records, and requests additional opinions from VA examiners regarding whether any current disabilities are related to his active military service.

The Veteran's left foot plantar fasciitis is granted a 30% evaluation starting from July 22, 2009. The Veteran is also granted a TDIU beginning from July 22, 2009.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to a request for withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was granted a 50% rating effective February 8, 2016. Prior to this date, the condition did not meet criteria for higher ratings.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, and the case is remanded for further examination regarding pes planus and right ankle disorder.

The Board has found that the evidence is insufficient to decide these claims and further evidentiary development is needed before decisions can be reached on the merits. This includes obtaining private medical records, scheduling VA examinations for right shoulder disorder, low back disorder, bilateral foot disorders, and prostate cancer, and verifying periods of service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee, right foot, and right knee disabilities. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request for payment or reimbursement of medical expenses incurred on September 23, 2013 at Winter Park Memorial Hospital due to prior authorization and no coverage under a health-plan contract.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's service connection claims for various foot disabilities, including frostbite and fungus, need further examination due to incomplete medical records and exposure history.