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

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and private medical releases. A new VA examination is also required to determine the nature and likely cause of his diagnosed foot disabilities.

The Board has determined that the claims for increased ratings and service connection are inextricably intertwined with the TDIU claim. Therefore, the TDIU claim is not yet ripe for appellate review and must be deferred pending readjudication of the other remanded claims.

The Board has determined that the Appellant's claims for service connection for right-knee disability, left-knee disability (secondary to right-knee), herniated disc lumbar spine (secondary to right-knee), and right-foot disability have been denied as they are not related to active duty or training.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and addressing the Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, bilateral pes planus, left foot tendonitis, and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is rated at 50 percent, and he is granted a TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected ethmoid sinusitis. However, it denied service connection for his other foot disorders and growth on the back due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to active service or service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus is denied as there is no evidence of an increase in severity during service. The claim for service connection for sleep apnea, secondary to his service-connected left knee disability, is granted.

The Veteran's bilateral foot, left hip, and left knee disorders are not service-connected as they were not shown to be related to his military service.,There is no evidence of a chronic condition during or within one year after service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hallux abductovalgus and hammertoes, left foot, as well as his claim for an increased evaluation for plantar warts, left foot with painful residual scar.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than October 20, 2010 for the grant of service connection for bilateral pes planus is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than May 26, 2011 for the grant of service connection for PTSD is denied.,The Veteran's claim for a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with his increased rating claim for PTSD.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's pes planus is not related to service, but there is conflicting evidence regarding its severity. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to insufficient evidence regarding his claimed disabilities, particularly pes planus, right knee and shoulder conditions, skin disorders, and respiratory issues. The Veteran served multiple periods of active duty in the Marine Corps.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus was present during service and is not due to any pre-existing condition, thus granting service connection.

The Veteran's death was not service-connected, but he had a total disability rating due to his service-connected disabilities. The claim for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 is denied because the Veteran did not meet the criteria of having a service-connected disability rated as totally disabling for at least 10 years immediately preceding death.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee DJD, status post partial replacement and a 20 percent rating for pes planus of the left foot. The Veteran's current disability picture more nearly approximates the criteria for these conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the issues on appeal can be decided.

The Veteran's right foot disability was found not to be related to service, and his claim for costochondritis is remanded due to conflicting evidence.

The Veteran's left foot pes planus and hallux valgus have been rated as 10 percent disabling since April 13, 2016.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development due to the need for updated VA treatment records and examinations of his left knee, left shoulder, and left foot disabilities. The TDIU issue remains on hold as it is inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claims.

The Board denied service connection for a foot disorder, including plantar fasciitis with calcaneal spur and pes cavus, finding that the current disabilities are not related to service.