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

The Board denied service connection for a cervical/lumbar spine disability and granted service connection for pes planus of the left foot, both related to the Veteran's right foot pes planus.

The Veteran's initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss has been denied.,Issues related to groin strain with right testicular pain, a right leg condition associated with groin strain, breathing problems, sleep apnea, acid reflux (GERD), and low back disability have been remanded.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including sinusitis, low back disorder, left and right foot pes planus, functional bowel disease, and right knee degenerative joint disease. The decision found that new evidence did not establish a current disability or link to service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and consideration of his claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral planovalgus flat feet and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and clarification of employment status.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disability, including pes planus and plantar fasciitis, is related to service and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has found that additional development is necessary for the Veteran's TDIU claim due to new evidence added after the SOC, and because the Veteran wishes to appeal this issue. The AOJ will need to consider this new evidence and clarify whether the Veteran wants a hearing on his TDIU claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete STRs and outstanding VA treatment records. The issues include right hip disorder, bilateral knee disorder, and bilateral foot disorder.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and opinions regarding his hypertension, skin condition, cervical spine disability, thoracic spine disability, right upper extremity radicular pain, pes planus, plantar fasciitis, and PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was reopened and granted. The claim for a low back disability was denied, but the effective date of the left knee chondromalacia patella rating is set at August 6, 2010.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral foot disability, residuals of stroke, heart murmur, and hypertension as there is no evidence showing these conditions were incurred during or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various hand, leg, and foot disabilities are being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral pes planus was denied. The appeal for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent disabling for migraine headaches prior to January 31, 2018 is also denied.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating of right knee strain with degenerative changes was denied. The Board found that the disability did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher than 10 percent rating based on limitation of motion. Service connection claims for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and right foot disability were also addressed but no specific disposition is provided.

The Veteran's service-connected plantar fasciitis of the right foot and left foot were initially rated as noncompensable prior to February 11, 2017. From that date, a disability rating of 20 percent was granted for each foot.,Prior to February 11, 2017, the Veteran's service-connected thoracolumbar spine disorder did not meet the criteria for an initial compensable disability rating. However, from February 11, 2017, a disability rating of 20 percent was granted.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for erectile dysfunction, bilateral hearing loss, pes planus, low back pain, left knee condition, and right knee condition due to procedural issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran needs to be examined to determine if his current foot disability and acquired psychiatric disorder are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection and evaluation of his disabilities, including an examination to determine the etiology of his psychiatric disorder, hypertension, right knee disability, left and right foot disabilities, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, right knee and foot disabilities, joint pain, muscle pain, poor circulation of the legs, and burns. The claims were not reopened or granted.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating on obstructive sleep apnea is dismissed. His right ear hearing loss is granted, but his lumbar spine and cervical spine conditions are partially granted with restrictions. Other claims remain pending.