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

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to determine the current severity of his service-connected disabilities and to obtain updated VA examinations.,The Veteran has multiple issues related to his service-connected disabilities, including increased ratings for various knee disorders, shoulder strain, wrist strain, thoracic spine compression fracture, cervical spine degenerative disc disease, bilateral plantar fasciitis with first metatarsophalangeal joint degenerative arthritis, pansinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and tension headaches. Additionally, he seeks service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability and right flank condition with numbness.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a depressive disorder has been reopened and granted. The right foot metatarsalgia with pes planus and degenerative joint disease is rated at 20 percent.,Right hip replacement, left wrist cyst secondary to service-connected disabilities, lumbosacral strain, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, peripheral neuropathy with sciatic nerve involvement of the left lower extremity, and peripheral neuropathy with external cutaneous nerve involvement of the left lower extremity are all remanded for further review.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for pes planus and plantar fasciitis due to inadequate medical opinions in the original examinations. The Veteran must be scheduled for a new VA examination to assess his foot conditions, with particular attention to whether they are related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right foot disability and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a foot disorder is denied as there was no in-service injury or disease, and the current disability is not otherwise related to active duty service.

The Veteran's right foot plantar fasciitis and soft tissue mass with degenerative arthritis are currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board finds that a rating in excess of 30 percent is not warranted due to lack of evidence showing loss of use of the foot. The left knee disability remains under consideration.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a new VA examination and to address the issue of an initial rating prior to March 25, 2010.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of respiratory disability, left foot disability, right foot disability, left knee disability, and left hip disability due to the absence of an adequate substantive appeal. The claim for service connection of right knee disability was denied as there is no evidence linking the current condition to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability, bilateral pes planus, and sciatic radiculopathy as secondary to a low back disability. The claim for hallux valgus/bunion is currently pending.,Further examination is needed to determine if the current hallux valgus/bunion condition is related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for additional VA opinions regarding the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's right knee arthritis is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's left foot disability, including arthritis with bunions and hammer toes, is granted as service-connected.

The Veteran's application to reopen the previously denied service connection claims for pes planus and club feet is granted.,Service connection for plantar fasciitis, claimed as club feet and pes planus, is also granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for osteoarthritis of the left and right knee, back disability, and bilateral foot disability due to a lack of a medical opinion regarding their etiology.

The Board denied service connection for various disabilities, including left knee tendinitis, bilateral foot disability, left ankle sprain, erectile dysfunction, urinary disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and depression), and bruxism. The reasons given were that there was no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's time in service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a broken knuckle of the right middle finger, bilateral flat feet, speech impairment and stuttering, and bilateral hearing loss were previously denied in March 2011. New evidence received since that decision does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate these claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine and tension headaches are rated at 50 percent, the highest available under Diagnostic Code 8100. The Board also granted a TDIU based on his combined disability rating of 90 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral foot disabilities, including pes planus, is being remanded due to the need for additional development. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD) is also being remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection with an effective date of January 1, 2001. The low back and right elbow disabilities, right foot plantar fasciitis, and left foot bone spurs are also granted with the same effective date. However, the claim for a right eyebrow scar was not filed within one year after separation from active duty, so it is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral foot disorder and a back disorder are inextricably intertwined, necessitating remand. The claims will be addressed after obtaining additional medical records and conducting further examinations.