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

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development to obtain substantiation of periods of Active Duty for Training (ACDUTRA) and to provide medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis, tinnitus, and jaw condition.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection of bilateral hearing loss. The remaining issues have been remanded for further development and examination.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and evidence are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of various disabilities.

The Veteran's claim to reopen the previously denied pes planus was granted. The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received sufficient to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for pes planus. However, the claims for left ankle condition, degenerative arthritis of the left hip secondary to right ankle fracture, and right knee condition with degenerative joint disease are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus, arch pain, and bilateral pronation deformity as these conditions are found to be caused by the Veteran's active service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection of left knee and left foot disabilities have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal. The cervical spine disability, headaches (including as a residual of TBI), and PTSD claims are being remanded.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims, including for his ingrown toenails. The claims are being remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and PTSD, but denied service connection for plantar fasciitis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of current hearing impairment meeting VA criteria.,The Veteran's TBI was evaluated at a 40 percent rating, with an additional 100 percent evaluation for PTSD. The headaches were separately rated at 50 percent effective August 16, 2016.

The Board has remanded the claims for lumbar disability, left arm disability, right shoulder strain, right wrist degenerative joint disease, left foot disability, and right foot disability due to new evidence received since the November 2009 rating decision.,Your current claim of service connection for a left arm disability is denied as there is no currently diagnosed condition. The Board found that your left arm was normal at separation from service.

The Veteran's application to reopen a claim for service connection for a left eye condition was denied. The Board found no new and material evidence to support the reopening of this claim. Service connection for bilateral foot disability is remanded due to insufficient evidence on aggravation during service. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is also remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current left knee disability, plantar fasciitis, bilateral hearing loss, chronic fatigue syndrome, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), or anxiety disorder.,The VA examiner found no evidence of a right knee disability during service and concluded that any current right knee disability is not related to service.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder not otherwise specified, pain disorder associated with arch pain, gouty arthritis, hypertension, hemorrhoids, and bilateral pes planus have been rated as 50%, 20%, 10%, 10%, 10%, 10%, and 0% respectively. The combined rating is 70%. The Veteran's major depressive disorder has caused occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70% disability rating for the entire appeal period.

The Veteran's claim for an extraschedular disability rating for bilateral pes planus based on the collective impact of service-connected disabilities is denied as a matter of law due to the change in regulations.

The Veteran's service connection claim for migraine headaches has been granted. The claims for increased ratings of bilateral plantar fasciitis and PTSD with generalized anxiety disorder, as well as the TDIU claim are still pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for bilateral pes planus and right ear hearing loss, as there is no evidence of such conditions in his service records or post-service medical records. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression and PTSD) will be remanded to obtain additional information regarding the claimed stressor.

The Veteran's pes planus, cramps in the calves, sciatica/lumbar region stress fracture, and radiculopathy are being remanded for further examination to determine their etiology.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including consideration of a minimum compensable rating for bilateral pes planus under 38 C.F.R. § 4.59.

The Board has granted service connection for left leg, right hip, left foot, and sciatica disabilities to include as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee traumatic comminuted patella fracture with patellectomy.

The Board has decided to remand the case for obtaining missing VA medical records and a VA opinion regarding whether the Veteran's additional left foot disability is related to possible negligence by a nurse during his surgery.