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

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including a lumbar spine disability with right leg radiculopathy, a right eye disability, a left hand disability, a right knee disability, a right toenail disability, and a bilateral foot disability. The AOJ will verify any periods of active duty training (ACDUTRA) or inactive duty training (INACDUTRA), obtain authorization for the Veteran's medical records from Wentzville, Missouri, and schedule examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder, shin splints, and foot disorders other than pes planus. The decision on whether these conditions are related to service is pending.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left knee disability, back disability, right foot disability, headaches, and RSD of bilateral lower extremities due to incomplete VA opinions.

The Veteran's bilateral heel plantar fasciitis, left tibialis muscle strain, right tibialis muscle strain, left patellofemoral pain syndrome, and right patellofemoral pain syndrome have been granted increased ratings. The Veteran is now rated at 30 percent for her bilateral heel plantar fasciitis from November 1, 2012.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for his service connection ratings for left and right lower extremity plantar fasciitis with metatarsalgia, finding that there was no factual ascertainable worsening of his service-connected foot disability within one year prior to his filing a claim.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for her low back disability is denied. The Board found that the objective medical findings did not support a higher rating, despite the Veteran's reported symptoms and functional limitations. Her claim for TDIU was granted as she met the schedular requirements and had service-connected disabilities rated at least 60% combined.

The Board denied service connection for left and right shoulder disabilities, left hand disabilities, right hand disabilities, left foot disabilities, and right foot disabilities due to insufficient evidence showing a current disability related to service.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus has been rated at 50% since November 22, 2012. The rating is effective from the date of the October 2010 claim.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, but remanded them due to insufficient evidence or further development is needed.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral pes planus and left abducens palsy, as well as his TDIU claim, are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development and consideration, including service connection claims and rating determinations.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues including a request for an increased rating for his bilateral sinus tarsi syndrome with plantar fasciitis, service connection claims for right and left ankle disabilities, and service connection claims for low back and right knee conditions. The Board has determined that these issues are inextricably intertwined and require additional examination to address the scope of service-connected disability.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar degenerative disc disease with radiculopathy and bilateral pes planus with arthritis, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for dental implants is denied as the condition does not meet the criteria for compensation purposes.,A 10 percent initial rating for hypertension has been granted, effective from September 1, 2012.

The Board has determined that further medical opinions are needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for hemorrhoids, right foot disability, and left foot disability due to conflicting examination opinions and lack of post-service medical records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to incomplete VA treatment records, particularly for the claimed conditions of pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) and kidney disorder. Additionally, a VA examination is needed to determine if hypertension is related to service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on the issues of diabetes mellitus, type II; basal cell carcinoma (claimed as skin cancer); right hip disorder; right knee disorder; and right ankle disorders has been dismissed. The remaining claims for service connection have been remanded.

The Veteran's right foot disability has worsened since the last VA examination, and a new evaluation is needed to determine the current severity of his condition.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral knee disability, low back disability, and pes planus due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran is presumed credible regarding his reports of in-service injuries and post-service symptoms.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and evaluation, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.