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

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and TDIU due to insufficient examination opinions addressing whether the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is secondary to his service-connected left calf disability, bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis, or gait change.

The Board has determined that the submitted evidence does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim for service connection for pes planus, as it is either cumulative or redundant and does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates were denied. The Board found no evidence of an increase in disability within one year prior to the October 20, 2008 claim.

The Board has decided to remand the case for an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding whether the Veteran's current bilateral pes planus clearly and unmistakably preexisted service, and if so, whether it was aggravated by service. The examiner will also need to determine if there is at least a 50% probability that the condition had its onset during or is otherwise related to his military service.

The petition to reopen the claim of service connection for a thyroid disorder is denied. The claims for increased ratings for left ankle, left foot, and varicose veins of the legs are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand three issues: service connection for plantar fasciitis of the left foot, increased rating for limited right knee flexion, and increased rating for chondromalacia of the right patella. The AOJ must issue a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC) that considers additional VA records submitted since the issuance of the statements of the case.

The Veteran's left and right knee disabilities are granted as service-connected.,Service connection for flat feet is denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left foot plantar fasciitis began during active service and is related to his current condition. Service connection for this disability is granted.

The claim for service connection of left ankle disability, bilateral pes planus and scalp condition is remanded due to the need for additional evidence and medical opinions.

The Board has determined that new examinations are necessary for the Veteran's service-connected lumbar strain, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and traumatic brain injury (TBI) due to outdated examination reports. The cases are being remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including major depressive disorder. The issues of service connection for a low back disability, bilateral pes planus, and migraines are remanded. The Veteran's claim for medical care under 38 U.S.C. § 1702 is dismissed as moot.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral foot disability is being remanded for a VA examination to determine the current severity of his condition.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, flat feet with inflammation, right wrist condition, carpal tunnel syndrome, and sleep apnea due to insufficient evidence on record.

The Board has denied all service connection claims, finding no evidence of a nexus between the claimed conditions and active service.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral flat feet, left ankle condition, right ankle condition, and a left knee condition secondary to the claimed flat feet condition due to insufficient evidence or need for further examination.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Veteran's left foot pes planus was noted at entrance to service and preexisted service. The Board found that the condition did not worsen during military service, thus denying service connection for this condition. Service connection for a sinus disorder is remanded due to lack of evidence addressing its etiology.

The Board has granted service connection for left ulnar nerve neuropathy and pes planus based upon in-service aggravation. The Veteran's left arm condition is considered to be related to his active military service, while his pes planus worsened during service.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a low back disability and denied it. The claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus was also denied.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD has been reopened and is now considered for service connection. The Board finds new and material evidence sufficient to reopen the claim.