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

The Veteran's initial ratings for left leg sciatica and lumbar spondylosis were restored, while other conditions remained unchanged or denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus existed prior to service and did not undergo an increase in severity during service, thus denying service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, bilateral pes planus, sleep apnea, and atherosclerosis, are sufficient to produce unemployability prior to May 8, 2013. A TDIU is granted for this period.

The Board denied service connection for right hand, right knee, right foot, and left foot disabilities due to a lack of current diagnoses related to these conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for a bilateral ankle disorder due to the lack of evidence of a current disability other than gout affecting both ankles. The claims for service connection for bilateral knee, tinnitus, acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD), gout, bilateral plantar fasciitis with DJD and heel spurs, and bilateral shin splints are all remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral foot disability and diabetes mellitus, type II due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and opinion regarding service connection for left hip DJD, left foot plantar fasciitis, and gastrointestinal disorder. The current noncompensable rating for bilateral tinea pedis is upheld.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection, and thus remands the cases for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected right foot disability, including plantar fasciitis, is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of her condition.

The Veteran's left foot disability and tinnitus are granted service connection. The decision on tinnitus is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis is etiologically related to his military service and granted his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service connection claims for tinnitus, right foot plantar fasciitis, left foot plantar fasciitis, and bilateral hearing loss disability are granted. Claims for other conditions such as left foot ingrown toenail, right foot ingrown toenail, left shoulder, right shoulder, low back, right knee, left knee, sleep apnea, tachycardia, hypertension (claimed as high blood pressure), erectile dysfunction, TBI, headache, and acquired psychiatric disability are denied.

The Board has determined that the reduction of disability ratings for lumbar spondylosis and herniated disc, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy was improper. The appeal is granted in part as the original disability ratings are restored. Additionally, the claim for service connection for OSA has been denied due to lack of a current diagnosis.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus and secondary service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing conditions were aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran requested to withdraw their appeal for the issues of effective dates earlier than January 26, 2014 for service connection granted for allergic rhinitis, plantar fasciitis, right foot injury with arthritis, and PTSD.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for schizophrenia is reopened, but the condition is not found to be related to his military service.,Service connection for upper and lower back pain is denied as there is no evidence that the condition began during or was caused by his military service.,Service connection for bilateral pes planus/flat feet is denied because it preexisted his entry into active service and the presumption of soundness applies.,Service connection for ED secondary to sleep apnea is denied as there is no evidence showing worsening of the condition due to a service-connected disability.,Service connection for bilateral tinea pedis (Athlete’s Foot) is denied because there is no evidence that it began during or was caused by his military service.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no current diagnosis of hearing loss for VA purposes.,Service connection for vertigo is denied as the condition does not meet the criteria to be considered secondary to a service-connected disability.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right foot disabilities. The remaining claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, stroke, hips, lumbar spine, knees, and hypertension are remanded as the Veteran needs to be afforded VA examinations to determine if these conditions are secondary to his now service-connected bilateral foot disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection and evaluations of various disabilities. The Veteran will need to undergo VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions, as well as to assess the severity of his current disabilities.

Service connection is denied for bilateral pes planus, lumbar strain, scoliosis, bilateral ankle disorder (shin splints), fibromyalgia, and bilateral hearing loss. Service connection is granted for tinnitus.,The Veteran's pes planus was noted at the time of entrance into service but did not permanently worsen in active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his right ankle disability and depression, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to June 8, 2010. The Board granted entitlement to TDIU on an extraschedular basis.