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

The Veteran's foot disorder, tinnitus, sinusitis, and headaches (migraines) are all granted. The Veteran is awarded a 10% rating for his scar related to the removal of a cyst near the right ear.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no evidence of a current disability related to her active military service. The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis claim was also denied due to lack of medical evidence linking the condition to her service-connected lumbar myositis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for service connection for various conditions, including left shoulder disability, cervical spine disability, left foot disability, right foot disability, hearing loss (right ear), GERD, skin condition, radiculopathy of the upper and lower extremities, and a nervous condition. The Board also dismissed the claim for lumbago and sleep apnea due to insufficient evidence.

The claims of service connection for depression/adjustment disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, pes planus, diabetes, and back disorder have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The Board finds that these conditions are not related to active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus and a low back disability have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions. The issues are inextricably intertwined.

The Board has remanded the issues of increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, right ankle strain, and bilateral pes planus due to new evidence. The service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disability is also remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis with left foot heel degenerative arthritis are granted a 10 percent rating, effective May 20, 2010.

The Board has remanded several issues due to the need for additional development and examination. The Veteran's claims for service connection are not supported by evidence of a nexus between his current conditions and service.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis was denied a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to July 26, 2016 and granted a 30 percent rating since then. The Veteran's hearing loss was denied a compensable rating prior to January 18, 2010 and granted a 20 percent rating since that date.,The Board found the VA examination for bilateral plantar fasciitis inadequate due to lack of discussion on functional effects.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for left foot, low back, and right shoulder disabilities due to new evidence submitted within one year of the August 2014 rating decision. However, the claims remain denied as there is no new and material evidence to support reopening of the original service connection claims.

The Board has remanded the claims for right carpal tunnel syndrome and left carpal tunnel syndrome due to insufficient evidence. The claim of bilateral pes planus is also remanded as it requires a new medical opinion regarding its etiology.

The Board has determined that the VA treatment records from October 2010 to the present have not been obtained and are needed for a complete evaluation of the Veteran's claims. The Veteran is asked to provide information about any private medical providers who may have treated her, especially those at Eagles Landing Family Practice.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is found to be secondary to his service-connected ulcerative colitis, and the claim for this issue is granted. The appeal regarding left foot plantar fasciitis and pes planus is dismissed as no new and material evidence has been received.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for left knee arthritis was granted with an effective date of August 11, 2014. The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis is currently rated at 50 percent and the Board found that it did not warrant a compensable rating prior to March 9, 2017.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the issues of increased rating for bilateral foot disability, service connection for lower back disability, cervical spine disability, and left lower extremity peripheral vascular disease.

Service connection is denied for bilateral pes planus, chronic rhinitis, an acquired psychiatric disorder (likely depression and anxiety), and insomnia. The Veteran's claims are not supported by clear and unmistakable evidence that these conditions existed prior to service or were aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical spine osteoarthritis, bilateral pes planus, and PTSD are being remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The cervical spine disorder and lumbar spine disorder, as well as bilateral pes planus, are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral pes planus is a congenital defect or disease, and if it was aggravated by service.