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

The Veteran's death was not due to his own willful misconduct, but he did not meet the criteria for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) as his service-connected disability had not been rated as totally disabling for at least ten years immediately preceding his death.

The Veteran's claim for depression has been reopened and granted.,Claims for bilateral hand condition, lower back condition, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, anxiety, major depressive disorder, dissociative disorder) have been remanded due to new evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for further evidentiary development, including obtaining a new examination and addendum opinion.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to issues regarding his bilateral foot disability and left calcaneal spur. The Board finds that a rating in excess of 30 percent for the bilateral foot disability, characterized as pes planus, does not meet the criteria. A compensable rating for the left calcaneal spur also does not meet the criteria.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of a left foot disability.

The Veteran's hypertension has been granted an initial rating of 10 percent, effective from the date of claim. The Veteran's bilateral pes planus remains at a 30 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development and examination to determine if his hip, knee, and foot disabilities are related to service or secondary to a service-connected condition.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral pes planus and a lumbar spine disorder, finding that the Veteran's conditions preexisted service and were not aggravated by active duty. The Board also found no in-service incurrence of a lumbar spine disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to June 13, 2016, for the grant of a 20 percent rating for a left foot disability and service connection for bilateral hearing loss and low back disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and interstitial lung disease, have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance. The Board has granted a higher level of special monthly compensation based on this need.

The Board denied service connection for right ankle/foot disability, lumbar degenerative joint disease, and related issues due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.,Service connection was also denied for left lower extremity neuropathy with obturator nerve involvement as there is no direct evidence or link between the condition and service.

The Board dismissed the appeal of the claim for bilateral plantar fasciitis due to the Veteran's withdrawal during a hearing.,Service connection is granted for chronic fatigue syndrome, with consideration given to the Veteran's lay statements and service records indicating symptoms during service. The disability meets the criteria under 38 C.F.R. § 3.317(a)(2)(b).,Service connection is granted for obstructive sleep apnea based on the Veteran's personal testimony and statements from fellow servicemembers.,Service connection is granted for alopecia areata, with consideration given to the lack of clinical evidence at the time of examination.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings for tinnitus, back disability, bilateral pes planus, allergic rhinitis, migraines, right knee patellofemoral syndrome, left knee patellofemoral syndrome, and degenerative changes of the right shoulder.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities was denied because his income exceeded the poverty threshold and he could still perform substantially gainful employment.

The Board has dismissed all appeals related to the Veteran's service connection and increased rating claims due to a withdrawal request in May 2016.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea but remanded the claims for fallen arches and residuals of in-service circumcision. The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of OSA, pes planus, or RIC.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left foot and stomach disabilities due to a lack of current diagnoses.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis, flat feet, and sleep apnea are all granted as service-connected. The rating for rhinitis is denied prior to November 21, 2014, but granted at a 10% level from that date.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including back pain, heart condition, hypertension, bilateral diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the feet, and several musculoskeletal disabilities. The Board found that there was no evidence to support an in-service onset or aggravation of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for various disabilities, including lumbar spine disability, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, cervical spine disability, bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and foot disability have all been denied. The Board found no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and service.