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

The Board has remanded the claims for a lower middle back disability, bilateral hallux valgus, and bilateral pes planus due to unresolved medical questions. The Veteran reported injuries during active duty service that have persisted post-service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including a right ankle disability, lower back disability, rectum disability, bilateral foot disability, and nutritional deficiency disability. The Board found no evidence of current diagnoses or functional impairment related to these conditions.

The Board has determined that additional VA examinations are needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection and an increased rating. The claims will be remanded for these purposes.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus. The Veteran's right hip disability, including a total right hip arthroplasty status post pelvic fractures, is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional examinations. The issues include headaches, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), left lower leg disability, gastrointestinal disability, anemia, sinusitis, cervical strain, OSA, left shoulder strain, cervical dysplasia, cellulitis, and a rating in excess of 20 percent for left arm radiculopathy.

The Board denied service connection for a left foot disability, cervical spine disability, Buerger’s disease, constipation, and headaches as the evidence did not support these claims.,Service connection was also denied for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for GERD and primary insomnia.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, left wrist disorder, bilateral pes planus (flatfoot), and hypertension have been denied. The appeal is considered 'mixed' as some issues were granted while others were not.

The Board has remanded the issues of higher initial ratings for left knee strain, right knee degenerative arthritis, residuals of a right ankle injury, and bilateral pes planus. The issue of entitlement to a Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) prior to March 28, 2017 is also remanded due to its inextricably intertwined nature with the above issues.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating of his left ankle disability is granted, effective December 13, 2016. The Board found that the evidence showed marked limitation of motion in the ankle.

The Board denied service connection for various elbow, hand, ankle, and foot disabilities as there was no competent evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back condition has been reopened and granted.,Service connection for migraines is now established, with the onset likely during service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus, hammer toes, hallux valgus, acquired pes cavus, and plantar fasciitis as it was not incurred or aggravated during active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to inadequate statements of reasons or bases and unclear duty-to-assist issues.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete service treatment records and a need for further examination. The issues are related to determining the nature and etiology of the Appellant's bilateral plantar fasciitis, including whether it is related to his military service or incurred during ACDUTRA/INACDUTRA.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disabilities, including flatfoot and metatarsalgia, are rated at 30 percent from January 27, 2010 through July 25, 2013. The rating is denied for a higher rating.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hypertension, left foot disability, right foot disability, PTSD, lumbar spine disability, and right knee disability were denied. The Veteran's claim for increased ratings of his bilateral foot disabilities was also denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as incurred in service.,The TDIU termination was improper, and the RO restored it from December 16, 2008.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete medical records and insufficient opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current bilateral foot condition is related to service, specifically his ill-fitting shoes and marching on cold steel decks.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for facial scarring, left toe injury (ingrown toenail), and right eye injury due to a lack of evidence showing permanent worsening or causation during active service.