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

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for various disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, right and left arm disabilities, back disability, foot disability, and nerve disability. The reasons given were lack of evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disability and bilateral pes planus need further examination to determine their etiology and current severity.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left foot pes planus was denied as there is no evidence of a diagnosed condition during service or since. The Veteran's current symptoms do not meet the criteria for service connection.,For his residual scar, status-post appendectomy, the Veteran did not have any unstable or painful scars that would warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of right foot disability, heart palpitations (vascular signs), hypertension, and eczema are remanded due to insufficient evidence. The Board finds the VA examination inadequate and requires additional development including obtaining relevant medical records.

The Veteran's claim of whether new and material evidence has been submitted sufficient to reopen the left ankle disability was dismissed. The claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, right ankle arthralgia, bilateral foot condition (flat feet), and erectile dysfunction were all granted. However, the severance of service connection for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome from July 13, 2005, to October 21, 2008, and right ankle arthralgia was improper; restoration of service connection is warranted. The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for patellofemoral pain syndrome of the right knee prior to October 21, 2008, and an evaluation greater than 10 percent thereafter, as well as his claim for a compensable evaluation for right ankle arthralgia prior to October 21, 2008, and an evaluation greater than 10 percent thereafter, were remanded. The Veteran's claim of service connection for erectile dysfunction was also remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus and GERD have been granted initial ratings of 10 percent.,However, the Veteran's lumbar degenerative disc disease, left great toe digital neuropathy, right great toe digital neuropathy with radiculopathy, and TDIU claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development and consideration of his claims, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his bronchitis.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus. The cases of residuals of a cancerous right shoulder tumor and major depressive disorder are remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart condition, stomach condition, and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The initial higher rating claim for right foot plantar fasciitis prior to March 28, 2016 is also being remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate findings in a previous VA examination, and thus requires a new examination to determine if the Veteran's current left foot disabilities are related to his service.

The Veteran's bilateral feet degenerative joint disease, pes planus, and retrocalcaneal heel spurs resulted in a 50% rating as of December 20, 2016. The right sural/peroneal neuropathy was rated at the maximum allowable under Diagnostic Code 8522.

The Veteran's service connection for bilateral pes planus is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran's current pes planus disability was aggravated by service, and thus service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right foot disability is related to his active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for flat feet (pes planus). Service connection for back and knee disabilities is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right knee disability, as secondary to his service-connected right ankle disability due to insufficient development and consideration.

The Veteran's increased ratings for left and right foot pes planus with plantar fasciitis are granted, but the case is remanded for further evaluations of heel spurs and frostbite residuals.

The Veteran's cervical strain/neck pain is being remanded for an addendum opinion to address the etiology of his condition, including whether it is related to service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's right foot hallux rigidus and plantar fasciitis are also being remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including allergic rhinitis, hyperhidrosis, bilateral patellofemoral syndrome, bilateral shin splints, degenerative joint disease of both great toes, and a left foot plantar wart.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral flatfoot prior to April 11, 2018 was denied.,The Veteran's claim of a higher rating for his bilateral flatfoot disability from April 11, 2018 onwards is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's current bilateral plantar fasciitis is of service origin, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.