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

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for tinea corporis and plantar wart/calluses due to a lack of an examination to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee disabilities, but has remanded the issues of service connection for a left foot disability, right foot disability, left hip disability, and lumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination, including obtaining an opinion on whether bilateral pes planus is related to service. The Veteran's other claims for increased ratings are also being remanded.

The Veteran's appeal regarding an upper back condition is dismissed. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for TBI with intermittent headaches, lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, and a right foot disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal for earlier effective date and higher disability ratings is remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations. The Veteran's claim for service connection remains pending.

The Veteran's foot disabilities have been granted increased ratings, with a combined rating of 40 percent. The Board has also remanded the issues regarding service connection for bilateral ankle and knee conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a skin disability, as well as his claims of service connection for back condition, bilateral pes planus, and sleep apnea. The claims are being returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to unclear reasons and bases provided in the April 2018 decision. The issues are related as they all involve disabilities that pre-existed service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and a bilateral foot disorder, finding that there is no evidence of such conditions during service or related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination and additional medical records. The Veteran's right foot disability is being reviewed again as there are no service treatment records available, but his lay statements suggest an in-service injury.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at a private hospital from April 7, 2014, through April 11, 2014, are denied as VA facilities were feasibly available and an attempt to use them beforehand would have been reasonable.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for a right foot scar is denied, and an increased rating of up to 20 percent for his right foot disability prior to February 22, 2019 and in excess of 20 percent from that date to March 8, 2019 is also denied.

The Veteran's appeal regarding an effective date prior to January 25, 2010 for the award of service connection for plantar fasciitis with pes planus and bilateral metatarsalgia has been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeals for a rating in excess of 10 percent for hallux valgus of both feet have been denied as his disability is already at its maximum assigned rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral foot DJD and pes planus was granted. The Board found that the current disability is related to service.

The Veteran's lumbar spondylosis and right (dominant) shoulder strain have been rated at the maximum allowed under their respective diagnostic codes.,The Veteran's bilateral plantar fascitis has not met the criteria for a higher rating.

Prior to November 22, 2017, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.,Since November 22, 2017, the Veteran has a combined rating of 80 percent for his service-connected disabilities and is rated at 100 percent for kidney cancer. His TDIU claim is denied as he can secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination in a previous decision, and needs an addendum opinion from a VA provider.

The Veteran's claims for service connection, increased ratings, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis was not rated higher than 10 percent prior to September 25, 2015 and as 30 percent since. The Veteran’s bilateral shin splints were granted a 30 percent rating effective from August 18, 1997.

The Board has denied service connection for a low back disability due to the lack of evidence of a current diagnosis. The cases of bilateral foot and hip disabilities, as well as PTSD, are remanded for further examination and opinion.