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

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for right foot plantar fasciitis is dismissed. The Veteran's head scar and related migraine headaches are granted service connection, but the neck disability and right knee disability remain remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for temporary total evaluations based on his service-connected left knee and right foot disabilities have been withdrawn, resulting in their dismissal. The Board also denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a TDIU.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for lumbar spine disability and bilateral pes planus due to incomplete service records. Additional attempts are needed to obtain his complete service record, including from his initial period of active duty.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the submission of new evidence that relates to the current disability element.,The Veteran's service connection claim for left knee disability is being remanded as there is new evidence suggesting a relationship between her in-service miscarriage and residuals, and her current condition.,The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral plantar fasciitis are being remanded due to her in-service running activities which may have contributed to the development of her current foot conditions.,The Veteran's service connection claim for patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee is being remanded as there is new evidence suggesting a relationship between her in-service running activities and her current condition.,The Veteran's service connection claims for lumbar strain are being remanded due to the submission of new evidence that relates to the nexus element.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development, including service connection for various disabilities and a rating for lumbar spine disability. The Veteran's claims are pending resolution.

The Veteran's claim for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant is denied as his service-connected plantar wart on the left heel does not meet the criteria for eligibility.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, and hypothyroidism due to incomplete verification of herbicide exposure in Korea. The bilateral foot disability claim also requires an addendum opinion from a VA clinician.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has determined that there is new and material evidence to support reopening of their claims. However, further development is required as VA must provide an examination or obtain a medical opinion in order to determine the etiology of the Veteran’s bilateral foot disability and bilateral knee disability.

This decision grants an earlier effective date of August 1, 2014 for a 40% rating for spondylolysis of L4, anterolisthesis of L4 on L5 and facet syndrome of the lumbar spine. The Veteran's claim is also granted for an earlier effective date of August 1, 2014 for a 30% rating for pes planus.,An earlier effective date of October 12, 2016 was denied for the assignment of a 30% rating for pes planus.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral foot disability, including pes planus, finding that it was incurred during his active duty training (ACDUTRA) period. The decision is based on the Veteran's reports of symptoms and treatment received shortly after ACDUTRA service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral pes planus, finding that it was aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a head injury, to include headaches, was denied as new and relevant evidence was not received. The claims for pes planus of the left foot and right foot were remanded due to insufficient medical opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment, and an effective date of February 3, 2004, was granted for the TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed. The claim for service connection for back pain is reopened and granted to this extent only. Service connection for left elbow disability is denied. The appeals for back, neck, and bilateral foot disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claims for residuals of an eye injury, hypertension, and a bilateral foot disorder are all denied as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions began during service or are otherwise related to in-service events.,Service connection was not granted for hypertension because there is no showing of chronic disease within one year after separation from service. The Veteran's current diagnosis of hypertension was noted many years after his separation, and continuity of symptoms since service cannot be established.

The Board has granted service connection for a left ankle disability and remanded the issue of secondary service connection for a left foot disability.

The Board has granted service connection for right plantar fasciitis, left plantar fasciitis, left carpal tunnel syndrome, right carpal tunnel syndrome, and bilateral leg lipodermatosclerosis. The decision is based on the Veteran's credible testimony regarding his in-service symptoms and competent medical opinions linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for residuals of frozen feet, residuals of gunshot wound to feet, and tinea pedis have been denied. The claim for pes planus has been granted.,The Veteran’s claim for acquired psychiatric disorder was reopened and is currently pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to unclear attribution of symptoms and a need for further examination. The Veteran's service-connected left foot condition is being evaluated, along with any nonservice-connected conditions.