Foot (incl. plantar fasciitis, flat feet) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's representative has withdrawn all his appeals regarding pes planus, injuries to the mouth and jaw, and stroke and pulmonary embolism.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including reopening of claims for pulmonary embolism and fainting spells, systemic lupus and arthritis, bilateral foot disability, respiratory disability, lumbar spine disability, and rheumatoid arthritis. The VA is instructed to obtain all relevant medical records from the Veteran’s Naval Reserve service.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for left foot disability and service connection claim for loss of all upper teeth are both remanded due to duty-to-assist errors. The Veteran needs to be notified about his scheduled VA examinations, and VHA must determine the Veteran's eligibility for dental treatment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of bilateral pes planus, right foot and toe cold weather injury (frostbite), hypertension, and muscle spasm with leg cramps to the right quad affecting the right knee are being remanded due to procedural errors.,The Veteran is not entitled to a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for a left knee disability and service connection for right foot plantar fasciitis, to include as secondary to the service-connected left knee disability, are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. The Board has remanded the cases for bilateral knee, back, and hip disabilities, as well as pes planus and hallux valgus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pes planus is a result of an in-service event and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for allergic rhinitis was denied as there is no new and material evidence to support the claim.,Service connection for pelvic tilt condition, GERD, and pes planus were all denied as they are not related to any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis and hiatal hernia were granted a 30 percent rating effective June 14, 2016. The decision also noted that the Veteran indicated he was satisfied with these ratings.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for left foot disability, sleep apnea, residuals of TBI, and acquired psychiatric disability due to missing documents in the record.

The Veteran's gastrointestinal disability is granted as service connected. The Veteran's dermatitis and right foot disability are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral shoulder disability and right foot disability. The issues include seeking service connection for these conditions, as well as higher ratings for other disabilities such as degenerative joint disease of the thoracolumbar spine, left knee, right knee, left foot hallux valgus with left big toe degenerative joint disease, and hammertoes of the left foot. Additionally, the issue of TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left foot disabilities due to inadequate examination in February 2018. The examiner needs to provide an addendum opinion addressing whether it is at least as likely as not that any currently diagnosed foot disability had its onset during service or is otherwise etiologically related to such service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected bilateral pes planus is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and obtaining outstanding medical records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various foot, knee, and back disabilities, as well as prostate cancer. The claims are being returned to VA for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral pes planus, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to conflicting medical opinions and the need for additional evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for right knee and right foot disabilities due to concerns about the qualifications of the November 2017 VA examiner who conducted the examinations. The Veteran needs new examinations by an orthopedic physician.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, left and right foot disabilities (claimed as frostbite residuals), cholelithiasis (gallstones), and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) have all been denied. The Board found no current disability in any of these conditions.,The Veteran did not provide sufficient evidence to establish a service connection for any of the claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for bilateral flat feet is being remanded due to the failure of the Veteran to report for a VA examination. The Board will provide another opportunity for the Veteran to have his pes planus evaluated.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis but has remanded the issue of service connection for restless leg syndrome.