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

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on the merits was denied. The claims were remanded for further action.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims for service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, left foot pes planus, and right foot pes planus. The claim for a right ankle disability is also reopened. Service connection will be remanded for these issues.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are remanded due to missing VA treatment records. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is intertwined with the rating claims.

The Board is remanding the claims for service connection and increased rating as they involve new and relevant evidence, including outstanding Martin Army Community Hospital records.

The Veteran's initial increased ratings for flat feet with plantar fasciitis and right foot metatarsal bone stress fracture were denied. The flat feet condition was rated at 10% prior to March 30, 2017, and at 50% beginning from that date. The right foot stress fracture was rated non-compensably disabling.

The Board dismissed the petition to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for scoliosis based on the receipt of new and material evidence. The claims for left leg numbness and tingling, right leg numbness and tingling, left foot plantar fasciitis, right foot plantar fasciitis, right restless leg syndrome, left restless leg syndrome, and thoracolumbar spine degenerative joint/disc disease are remanded for additional development.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development to address whether service connection should be granted for plantar fasciitis and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's service meets the criteria to establish basic eligibility for VA home loan benefits because he was discharged from military service due to a service-connected disability (bilateral pes planus).

The Veteran's application to reopen a claim for service connection due to Agent Orange exposure was granted. The claims for sinus condition, sleep apnea, heart condition, and respiratory condition were denied. The rating for bilateral pes planus was increased to 50 percent.,Service connection for the skin condition due to Agent Orange exposure is granted. Service connection for a sinus condition, sleep apnea, heart condition, and respiratory condition are denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and conflicting evidence in some cases. The issues of entitlement to service connection for various disabilities are being returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeals on multiple service connection and rating issues, including those related to lumbar spine disorder, bilateral pes planus, right hand CTS, left hand CTS, PTSD, cervical spine disorder, trouble breathing, sleep apnea, bilateral pulmonary embolisms, and insomnia disorder. The Board dismissed the appeal due to withdrawal.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for right foot plantar fasciitis, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the condition began during active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for pes planus has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is denied as the maximum schedular rating under Diagnostic Code 6260 already applies.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and erectile dysfunction (secondary to hypertension) are remanded, while service connection for osteoarthritis of the right knee remains pending.

The petition to reopen claims for service connection for various conditions is granted. The cases are remanded for further development and examination.

The Veteran's muscle injury and acquired pes cavus due to shrapnel injury are granted with specific ratings.

The Board has determined that there are missing, pertinent records that must be obtained prior to making an informed decision regarding the service connection claims. These records include VA outpatient records from December 2001 to 2015 and any private treatment records related to the Veteran's claimed disabilities, particularly those from Mercy Hospital in the early 2000s.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeal due to a lack of response from the Veteran regarding his claims for increased ratings. The case is being returned to the RO for further attempts to contact the Veteran and reschedule examinations.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for pes planus, skin disease of the right foot, and skin disease of the left foot have been reopened. The Board found that new evidence submitted since the last final denial does not establish a current disability or its incurrence in service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is denied as it did not manifest during service or within one year of separation and there is no evidence linking the condition to his military service.,The Veteran's bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the feet is denied as it did not manifest during service or within one year of separation and there is no evidence linking the condition to his military service.,The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is denied as it was first diagnosed after service, and there is no evidence that it began in service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete records and the need for further evaluation.