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

The Board denied service connection for bilateral pes planus, tinnitus, sleep apnea, insomnia, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (nightmares) as the evidence did not show a current disability or a link to military service.,Service connection was denied because there was no increase in severity of pes planus during service, and the Veteran's tinnitus is not related to military noise exposure.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, as well as bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's current conditions were not shown to be related to his military service.,Service connection was also denied for intractable plantar keratoma of the right foot and left foot.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to procedural issues. The Board will not review the claims until they are certified for appellate review.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there is no current diagnosis of a disability related to his active duty service. The evidence did not establish an in-service injury or disease, and the disabilities found are not shown to be causally related to his military service.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral foot disability and right hip disability, including whether they are related to service.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy is granted as service connected, and the right foot and lumbar spine disabilities are remanded for further development.

Service connection for bilateral onychomycosis has been granted.,An initial increased rating of 30 percent for service-connected bilateral pes planus was granted prior to April 17, 2015. From April 17, 2015, an increased rating of 50 percent for the same condition is granted.,Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) based on statutory housebound status has been granted from April 17, 2015.

The Board has vacated the November 2018 decision, finding that new evidence was not considered. The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease due to herbicide exposure are denied as there is no credible evidence of actual exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for his bilateral foot disabilities, finding that there was no evidence to support a finding that the current disabilities were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to support the Veteran's claims for service connection and a compensable rating for irritable bowel syndrome. The case will be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, PTSD, and headaches have been denied. The effective dates for the grants of service connection for hemorrhoids and bilateral plantar fasciitis are set at May 8, 2015. The Veteran is granted a 10 percent evaluation for his hemorrhoids but not for his bilateral plantar fasciitis.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were dismissed. The effective dates for the establishment of service connection for pes planus, right-hand tingling and numbness, left-hand tingling and numbness, chronic otitis externa, and GERD have been granted.

The Veteran's right elbow, left hip, and right hip disabilities are secondary to his service-connected thoracolumbar spine tendonitis. The Board is remanding these claims for further development.,The Veteran's left shoulder disability is not linked to any service-connected condition. The Board is also remanding this claim for further development.,The Veteran's right knee, bilateral foot pes planus, left foot hallux valgus, and right foot hallux valgus disabilities are all considered direct service connection cases. The Board is remanding these claims as well for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease, tinnitus, and insomnia. The claims for bilateral plantar fasciitis, eczema, atopic dermatitis (claimed as extremely dry skin-rash on legs), seborrheic keratosis, pigmented-lower back (claimed as cancer in my back) were denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The appellant is not entitled to an increased rate of DIC benefits as the Veteran had a total disability rating for less than eight years immediately preceding his death.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus with osteoarthritis, chronic lumbosacral strain, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome have been rated as they are currently manifested. The maximum schedular rating of 50% for bilateral pes planus has been assigned.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar warts are currently rated under the appropriate diagnostic codes. The respiratory disorder is related to asbestos exposure during service, but a medical nexus opinion is needed.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of updated VA treatment records and for another VA examination to evaluate the severity of the Veteran's service-connected right foot callosities, status post surgeries, and bilateral feet surgical scars.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for a low back disability, left foot disabilities, and right knee disability (secondary to service-connected left knee disability), but denied these claims on their merits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are not supported by the evidence and have been denied. The appeals for erectile dysfunction, bilateral hand disorder, bilateral pes planus, and heart disorder are all remanded to allow for further development.