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

For the rating period from December 1, 2014 to November 17, 2016, the Veteran's right foot plantar fasciitis did not manifest in symptoms that more nearly approximated severe symptomatology. Therefore, a higher initial rating of 10 percent was denied.,For the rating period from November 18, 2016 onwards, the Veteran's right foot plantar fasciitis manifested in symptoms that more nearly approximated severe symptomatology. A higher initial rating of 20 percent was denied.

The Veteran's hypertension was not found to meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation. The issue of increased rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis, right foot fibroma, and right foot hallux valgus is remanded due to inextricably intertwined issues.

The Veteran's claim for service connection has been granted, but the effective date is not specified as it falls within a year of receipt of the claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and physical conditions, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has denied service connection for several conditions, including right foot disability, CVS, bilateral hearing loss, vertigo, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome. The issues of lumbar disability and insomnia are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left Achilles disorder, bilateral knee disorder, and plantar fasciitis with Haglund’s deformity due to insufficient medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has granted a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, finding that his functional impairments due to bilateral pes planus and other conditions render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes, retinopathy, bilateral foot neuropathy, left foot disability, and right foot disability has been reopened.,Service connection is granted for diabetes mellitus due to herbicide agent exposure in service. The claims of secondary service connection for retinopathy, bilateral foot neuropathy, left foot disability, and right foot disability are also granted.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus and bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, finding that the Veteran incurred this condition during active duty training (ACDUTRA) and resolving all reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Veteran's service-connected foot and back disabilities render him unemployable, with the Board granting a TDIU rating based on the benefit-of-the-doubt.

Service connection for bilateral pes planus is granted. Other issues are remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus has been rated at the maximum schedular rating of 50 percent since the appeal period began.,Prior to March 13, 2014, his migraine headaches were rated at 10 percent. From that date onwards, they are rated at 50 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional evidence. His hypertension is granted with a 10% evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for pes planus was denied as new and material evidence was not received. The Veteran's PTSD rating was increased to 50% effective September 18, 2017, but the appeal is denied for a higher rating prior to that date.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine condition and bilateral pes planus, finding that the evidence did not support a causal relationship to active service.

The Veteran's low back condition, bilateral pes planus, and sleep apnea have been granted service connection.,Service connection for numbness and tingling of the left leg and right leg, as well as degenerative joint disease in both feet, is being remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's bilateral knee and foot disabilities are remanded for further development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions. The Veteran's sleep apnea is also remanded with similar considerations.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for bilateral foot disorders, but has remanded it for further development and an examination.

The Veteran's appeal is REMANDED for additional development regarding his claims of service connection for various conditions, including bilateral foot disability, bilateral eye condition, heart disease due to exposure to herbicides, prostate cancer due to exposure to herbicides, and diabetes mellitus II due to exposure to herbicides. The AOJ must obtain the Veteran's military personnel records from his service with the Air Force in 1960s and his duty with the Air Force Reserve in 1970s, verify his asserted in-service exposure as an aircraft maintenance personnel to herbicide agents, schedule him for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any bilateral foot disability, and obtain an addendum opinion from an appropriate clinician concerning whether his in-service complaint of blurred vision is related to his cataracts.