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

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for sleep apnea was dismissed because he withdrew his claim. The Board granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The petition to reopen a previously denied claim of service connection for bilateral pes planus is denied. The Veteran's claimed bilateral hallux valgus is not caused by, a result of, or otherwise etiologically related to service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted from May 1, 2009. The Board found that the Veteran was unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities since May 1, 2009.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for VR&E benefits due to a lack of development and consideration of all relevant evidence, including SSA records. The AOJ is instructed to obtain any outstanding SSA decisions and ensure that all pending RO development related to service connection and increased evaluations claims are appropriately considered.

The Veteran's claims for compensable ratings for right and left foot plantar fasciitis were denied as her symptoms did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded multiple issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including those for right ankle disability, chronic regional pain syndrome, right knee disability, muscle disorder and/or joint pain, vertigo, loss of balance, headaches, gastrointestinal disorder, skin disorder, left foot disability, and acquired psychiatric disabilities. The VA is directed to obtain relevant treatment records from various facilities and the Veteran's Social Security Administration (SSA) records.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection, shortening of lower extremities, and foot disabilities due to additional development being required. The TDIU claim is inextricably intertwined with these issues.

The Veteran's increased rating for left foot plantar warts with keratomas is granted, while a higher rating for right foot plantar warts with keratomas is denied. The Board has also remanded cases regarding service connection and TDIU due to hip and knee disabilities.

The Board has ordered the Veteran to provide VA treatment records from January 25, 2005 to August 4, 2017. The appeal is being remanded due to this missing information.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right foot disability other than pes planus, status post right bunionectomy with recurrent hallux abductovalgus deformity and degenerative changes of the first MTP joint (including arthrofibrosis and arthrosis), heel spur, pes cavus, and calcaneal spurring.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various disabilities have been dismissed.,A claim to reopen a back disability has been remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for bilateral pes planus has been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of the appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a valid claim for service connection for any of the conditions listed, as there is no evidence showing they were incurred or aggravated during his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for tinea pedis, right foot disability, and left foot disability has been dismissed. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainty about the Veteran's service periods and a need for an opinion on the etiology of his plantar fasciitis.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to incomplete service records. The Veteran is seeking service connection for various disabilities, including shoulder and ankle injuries as well as an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The claim for service connection of the Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, right hip disability and right foot disability is reopened. The claims for secondary service connection are remanded due to lack of an opinion on whether these disabilities were caused or aggravated by his service-connected status-post compartment release of the right lower extremity with residual saphenous neuropathy.

The Veteran's right elbow disability is rated at 50 percent, effective June 26, 2018. His bilateral foot disability remains at a maximum of 40 percent.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including blood abnormalities, left ankle disability, left leg disability, right foot disability, and sleep disorder. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of her claimed disabilities, including bilateral shin splints, flat feet, ingrown toenails, and residuals of a tubal ligation. The Veteran is also being asked to provide more information about her psychiatric disability, which she claims as PTSD.