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

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus has been rated at 30 percent since February 27, 2012. The Board has now granted an initial rating of 50 percent for the condition throughout the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further medical examination. The issues include tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD, depression, anxiety), erectile dysfunction, flat feet, right knee injury, and left knee injury.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment as of May 16, 2016. The effective date for TDIU is set at this date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various joint disabilities, including painful aching joints of the entire body and osteoarthritis. The VA will obtain relevant medical records from VA, SSA, and private providers, and schedule the Veteran for additional examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's left great toe hallux valgus is currently rated at 10 percent, the maximum rating available.,Prior to December 17, 2018, the Veteran’s bilateral plantar fasciitis with pes planus and metatarsalgia was rated at 30 percent. Beginning December 17, 2018, a higher rating is not warranted as the maximum schedular rating of 50 percent has been assigned.,Prior to December 17, 2018, the Veteran's tension headaches were rated noncompensable. As of December 17, 2018, a 50 percent rating was granted for very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.,The maximum schedular ratings have been assigned for all conditions.

The Veteran's annual clothing allowance based on static qualifying disability is restored due to the continued use of a prescribed hinged knee brace and topical ointments that cause damage to his clothing.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected bilateral flat feet. The examiner must provide an opinion on this issue.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The appellant's left foot disability, acquired psychiatric condition (claimed as PTSD, anxiety), and bilateral hearing loss are all under review.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is rated at a 30 percent rating effective May 24, 2016. The Veteran’s bilateral pes planus remains at a 50 percent rating. The Veteran's right ankle disability and TDIU claim are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed conditions, particularly those related to bilateral ankles, knees, hips, lumbar spine, cervical spine, right ankle condition, left ankle condition, right knee condition, left knee condition, right hip condition, left hip condition, and sleep apnea. The claims are also remanded for increased evaluations.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for the Veteran's residuals of a right foot injury, effective from July 29, 2011, and throughout the period on appeal. The condition is rated under Code 5284 (for 'other' foot injuries).

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for plantar warts with symptomatic left foot plantar keratoma and pes planus as secondary to the service-connected plantar warts are being remanded due to new evidence.

The Board has denied the petitions to reopen claims for service connection for left and right ankle disabilities, but has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for left and right knee disabilities as well as left and right foot disabilities.

The Veteran's application to reopen his claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and bilateral pes planus was granted. Service connection for bilateral pes planus is granted as the pre-existing condition worsened during service.,Service connection for heart disorder is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability within one year post-service, and no medical opinion linking it to service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the following conditions: bilateral foot disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), back disability, bilateral hearing loss disability, diabetes mellitus, and bilateral eye disability. As a result, these issues are dismissed.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to address issues of service connection, rating, and functional limitations related to the Veteran's right knee, left ankle, and left foot disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral pes planus with hammer toe is remanded due to the failure of the Veteran to attend a scheduled VA examination.

The Veteran's applications to reopen claims for service connection for right foot, right shoulder, and cervical spine disabilities were denied. The Board found no new evidence that established a nexus between the current disabilities and service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral pes planus and restless leg syndrome due to a lack of proper notification regarding scheduled VA examinations. The Veteran was not notified that his appointments were cancelled, which may have affected his ability to attend.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection of right leg, left leg, and bilateral foot disabilities due to in-service complaints and post-service treatment.