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

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral flat feet and a disorder manifested by depression, memory loss, fatigue, and problems with sleeping due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The Veteran's service records show complaints of foot pain in service, but no definitive opinion on the current condition's origin. For the sleep-related issues, there is insufficient medical examination addressing Gulf War service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for low back, left knee, right knee, left foot, and right foot disabilities due to additional development being necessary.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination opinions regarding the Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus and her newly diagnosed foot conditions. The Veteran needs a new VA examination to assess her current condition, differentiate between symptoms related to her service-connected disability and those of non-service-connected disabilities, and provide an opinion on additional functional loss during flare-ups.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral foot disability and lung disorder (to include bronchitis and asthma) due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for lumbar spinal stenosis has been dismissed due to the Veteran requesting a withdrawal. The issue of service connection for pes planus is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to July 31, 2006 and service connection were denied. The Board found that there was no factually ascertainable increase in the Veteran’s hemorrhoids within a year of her claim, and that she did not submit a formal or informal claim for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis, gastroenteritis with fundic gland polyp, or left knee scars prior to July 31, 2006. The effective dates assigned were the date of receipt of claims.,The Veteran's initial rating in excess of 30 percent for bilateral pes planus and her initial compensable rating for left knee scars were denied. The Board found that there was no factually ascertainable increase in the Veteran’s bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis within a year of her claim, and that she did not submit a formal or informal claim for gastroenteritis with fundic gland polyp or left knee scars prior to July 6, 2004.

The Veteran's initial ratings for right and left foot plantar fasciitis have been granted at a 10 percent level.,Both the knee and low back disabilities are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding their relationship to service-connected plantar fasciitis.

The Board has withdrawn the claim of service connection for traumatic brain injury. The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is granted as a current disability that began during active service. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is remanded due to insufficient evidence to corroborate claimed stressors.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment, consistent with his educational and occupational background.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, right knee disability, and right foot disability. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral foot condition, bilateral eye condition, and headaches due to a lack of VA examinations.

The Board has remanded four issues related to service connection for various disabilities, including a lumbar spine disability, sciatica of the right lower extremity, left foot disability, and loss of vision of the left eye. The AOJ is instructed to obtain relevant medical records and schedule the Veteran for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including tinnitus, headaches, heart disability, hypertension, lumbar spine disability, bilateral flatfoot and plantar fasciitis, and residuals of a left ankle injury. The issues have been remanded due to outstanding VA and private treatment records that need to be obtained.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral pes planus was at least as likely as not aggravated during active service. The remaining issues on appeal are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral pes planus and an acquired psychiatric disorder (major depressive disorder) secondary to a service-connected disability (obstructive lung disease). The Veteran's preexisting pes planus was not aggravated by his active duty, and there is no evidence that the Veteran's major depressive disorder is related to his service-connected obstructive lung disease.

The Board has remanded several claims related to service connection for various conditions, including headaches, hypertension, ankle disorders, flat feet, and knee disorders. The Veteran is also being asked to provide private medical records for his treatment of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for pes planus, bronchitis, hypertension, and headaches have been remanded due to incomplete development.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a cyst on the right facial area is denied. The Veteran's increased rating claims for his right knee and ankle disabilities are also denied.

The Board denied service connection for a right foot disability, lumbar spine disability, and cervical spine disability. The decision found that the Veteran's right foot disability was not aggravated during service beyond its natural progression, and there is no evidence of a nexus between his current back and neck disabilities and service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his psychiatric disorder and degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine, have been sufficiently disabling to render him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational background.