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

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for clothing allowances for braces used for his service-connected left knee, right knee, and back disabilities in calendar year 2015 due to lack of documentation showing use of these braces during that period.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral pes planus and right ankle disability have been denied. The Veteran was granted service connection for these conditions in January 2017 with an effective date of July 31, 2013, which is the earliest possible date based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's claim for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant is remanded due to the need for an opinion on whether he meets the criteria under 38 C.F.R. § 3.809(b)(4) of having loss of use of one lower extremity, together with injury which precludes locomotion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,Service connection granted for migraines, with the presumption that they began during service and have continued since then.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including bilateral shoulder, knee, ankle, pes planus, eye, stomach, anxiety, and PTSD. The appeals are denied as there is no evidence of current or in-service disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of his knee and foot disabilities. The case will be reviewed with a new VA examiner.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral flat feet and for an earlier effective date for a lower extremity nerve condition due to missing documents from the Veteran's file. The case will be returned to the Board after these issues are addressed.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding increased evaluations for left and right ankle strains, as well as right foot plantar fasciitis.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities were denied increased ratings, with the exception of a remanded issue regarding lumbar strain.,Bilateral pes planus was also denied an increased rating.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and an examination to address the Veteran's claims of service connection. The GERD claim is denied, while the pes planus and left knee disability claims are dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal for restoration of a 40 percent rating for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease is granted, effective August 1, 2014. The appeals for service connection for bilateral flat feet, an acquired psychological disorder other than PTSD, and a rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbar spine DDD are remanded.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis and bronchitis.

The Veteran's service connection claim for plantar fasciitis is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for service connection for right and left hip disabilities, as well as her degenerative arthritis of the right hand, was granted. A rating in excess of 20 percent for low back strain is denied. The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is rated at a 30 percent since April 2, 2016.

The Board has found that the Veteran's right ankle and right foot disabilities are not related to his VA medical treatment, and thus denied compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and providing a supplemental VA opinion regarding his left knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus and varicose veins of the bilateral legs were denied, as well as his increased rating claims for residuals of fractures of the third and fourth metatarsals in both feet. The Board found that new evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate these claims.

The Veteran's right ankle and heel pain are attributed to a pre-existing condition, plantar fasciitis. Service connection for this condition is denied.,There is no evidence of left ear hearing loss during service or at any time since service. Service connection for left ear hearing loss is denied.,Service connection for IBS due to Gulf War service is granted based on the Veteran's history and symptoms, which are presumed to be related to his period of service in Southwest Asia.,VA examination is required to determine if the Veteran has current bilateral plantar fasciitis. Service connection will depend on whether this condition can be linked to service or a pre-existing condition.,VA examination is required to assess the nature and etiology of any back disorder, including determining if it is related to service or a pre-existing condition.,VA examination is required to determine the presence and etiology of bilateral knee disorders. Service connection will depend on whether these conditions are linked to service or a pre-existing condition.,VA examination is required to assess the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder, including determining if it is related to service or a pre-existing condition.,Service connection for right ear hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of current hearing loss during service or at any time since service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including right arm, upper back, right knee, sleep, bilateral foot, hearing loss (left ear), tinnitus, hypertension, acid reflux disease, and menstrual disability are all denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions or a link to service.,For the specific disabilities: Right Arm Disability, Upper Back Disability, Right Knee Disability, Sleep Disability, and Bilateral Foot Disability, the Veteran does not have a current disability that began during service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease. The claim for hearing loss (left ear) and tinnitus are denied as there is no evidence of these conditions within one year of separation from active duty.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities, including right and left knee disabilities, heart disability, gallbladder disability, left Achilles tendon disability with bone spurs, and bilateral hearing loss. The decision also requires verification of the Veteran’s dates of active service, ACDUTRA, and INACDUTRA.