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

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral foot disability and an increased rating for his right gluteus disability, finding that there was no evidence of a relationship between these disabilities and service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disorder and reopening the claim was granted. The claims for increased rating for right carpal tunnel syndrome, left wrist condition (carpal tunnel syndrome), right foot disability, sleep apnea, and residuals of transient ischemic attack are remanded.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is related to active service and service connection for this condition has been granted. The cervical spine and bilateral foot disabilities are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current foot disability is related to his service. The Veteran needs a VA examination to determine if his foot condition was incurred during service.

The Veteran's service-connected plantar fasciitis with degenerative joint disease of the bilateral feet is remanded for further evaluation and to obtain updated VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus, ear disability, glaucoma, respiratory disorder, hypertension, upper intestinal disorder (GERD), erectile dysfunction, left great toenail paronychia, gout, right foot disability, skin disability, LUE neuropathy with pain, RUE neuropathy with pain, LLE neuropathy with pain, and RLE neuropathy with pain due to outstanding evidence that may be relevant to the claims.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral pes planus, but has remanded the issues of service connection for low back disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, and hallux valgus and hallux rigidus of the right foot due to conflicting evidence about their onset in or attributable to service.

The Veteran's cause of death was listed as cardio-respiratory arrest due to hepatic carcinoma. The Board denied service connection for the cause of death and denied DIC benefits, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not contribute substantially or materially to his death.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for hypertension was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not establish a relationship between the Veteran’s hypertension and either his period of active service or any service-connected disability.,The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for myalgia (claimed as bilateral leg pain) was also denied. The Board determined that the evidence did not show a link between the Veteran’s myalgia and his service-connected pes planus.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional diagnostic testing related to the Veteran's bilateral foot disability, including onychomycosis and degenerative arthritis.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis and headaches has been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.,Service connection for MDD was granted in a previous decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been granted, including right and left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, a psychiatric disorder (PTSD, panic disorder, depressive disorder), lumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, headache disorder, right foot plantar fasciitis, and left foot plantar fasciitis. The Veteran's claims for service connection for left eye pterygium have been denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical evidence and a need for further examination.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disability, including right first toe MTP arthritis and plantar fasciitis with distorted great toe nail, is rated at 50 percent prior to February 9, 2016. The low back disability is denied. No new rating is granted for the low back disability.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for vertigo remains pending. The Board has remanded the claims of higher ratings for PTSD with TBI, bilateral hearing loss, and left foot pes planus.,Further development is needed to obtain VA treatment records from the Coatesville VAMC, reschedule a VA audiological examination, and conduct a comprehensive VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected left foot disorder.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. The earlier effective date claim for the 20 percent disability rating for left foot disorder is denied, but the Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded.

The Board has denied an initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss on an extraschedular basis. The issues of entitlement to a TDIU rating, DIC compensation, and service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death are remanded due to their interrelation with the increased rating claim.

The Board has remanded three claims: service connection for right hip, knee, and foot disabilities as secondary to service-connected degenerative arthrosis of the lumbar spine. The claims are being remanded due to inadequate nexus opinions provided after VA examinations in August 2019.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examinations and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations conducted in October 2017 did not sufficiently address the Veteran's lay statements regarding his in-service onset of symptoms and the use of ill-fitting footwear. The claim is being remanded for additional VA examinations to consider all evidence, including the Veteran's lay statements.