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

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's current foot disabilities, specifically whether they are related to her service or not.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis, effective from December 11, 2017. The disability is rated under DC 5276 of the VA Rating Schedule.

The Board has decided that further development is needed for the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral pes planus, including as secondary to hypertension.

The Board denied service connection for various foot, knee, and back disorders as well as fibromyalgia. The evidence did not support the Veteran's assertions that her conditions began in service or were caused by any service-connected disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus, low back disability, hip disorders, knee disorders, and ankle disorders due to incomplete service treatment records. The claims are inextricably intertwined with the claim for bilateral pes planus.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development and examination. The Veteran's claims of service connection are pending, but the appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee, right knee, left foot, and right foot disabilities are denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or any link to in-service injury.,For the groin muscle disability claim, the Veteran's diagnosis was not confirmed by medical examination. The Board found that he does not have a current groin muscle condition.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings and TDIU prior to September 8, 2014.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a headache disorder is granted. The effective date for the grant of service connection for tinnitus is set at June 27, 2014. The Veteran’s bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis, hallux valgus, right 4th proximal phalanx fracture with bony exostosis is granted an increased rating effective from the date of his claim (June 27, 2014).

The Board has determined that additional examinations are needed for the Veteran's left shoulder, low back, bilateral plantar fasciitis, sinusitis, and acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD) to determine their etiology. The right shoulder disability is also being remanded for an increased rating.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine the nature, etiology, and severity of the Veteran's right foot disability and left heel disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased evaluations of the Veteran's thoracolumbar pain syndrome and stress fractures of both feet due to inadequate examination reports. The AOJ is required to arrange new examinations that comply with 38 C.F.R. §§ 4.40, 4.45, and 4.59.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected foot disabilities are being remanded due to incomplete medical opinions and the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for initial compensable disability ratings and service connection are not fully addressed due to a lack of VA examinations, particularly regarding his skin conditions, foot disabilities, back disability, and psychiatric disorder. The Board is remanding these issues for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions and a need for further development, including a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including a right shoulder disability and TBI residuals, were denied. The claim for service connection for the right shoulder was reopened due to new evidence, but the claim is still denied as there is no credible evidence of an in-service injury or current condition related to service.

The Board has remanded two issues: one regarding right foot neuropathy and the other regarding left foot neuropathy. The right foot issue is due to a lack of an SOC, while the left foot issue requires further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's application for a clothing allowance for his left knee brace was denied because the evidence did not document continued use of the device, including no sign of recent maintenance or replacement.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left foot hallux valgus, osteoarthritis, and plantar fasciitis as secondary to his service-connected left knee meniscectomy. The VA examiner found no credible nexus between these conditions and the service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.