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

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis, which is claimed as secondary to his service-connected metatarsalgia and hallux valgus.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis was rated at 10 percent prior to September 12, 2018 and denied a higher rating.,For the period from September 12, 2018 through September 12, 2019, the Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis was rated at 30 percent and denied a higher rating.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus has been rated at 50 percent since October 24, 2018. The Board found that the symptoms and functional impairment more closely approximated the criteria required for a 50 percent disability rating throughout the period on appeal. However, the Veteran is not entitled to a TDIU as his employment does not meet the schedular or extraschedular requirements.

The Board has granted service connection for pes planus and degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to active duty service. The right knee disability and left knee disability have been remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.,Service connection for a right testicular varicocele is also granted, with the condition being attributed to an in-service personal assault.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus has been rated as noncompensable since its initial grant of service connection due to the absence of symptoms that would warrant a higher rating.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for increased ratings of hallux valgus, left foot and bilateral pes planus. The appeal for service connection for delusional disorder is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a neck condition and bilateral plantar fasciitis, to include bilateral degenerative arthritis of the feet and hallux valgus (also claimed as bilateral foot problems).,There is no evidence that the Veteran's current cervical spine or bilateral foot conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the claims of recurrent epistaxis, right foot plantar fasciitis, left ear hearing loss, patellofemoral pain syndrome (left knee), patellofemoral pain syndrome (right knee), trochanteris pain syndrome with trochanteric bursitis (left hip), and trochanteris pain syndrome with trochanteric bursitis (right hip).

The Veteran's right knee instability is granted with a 10 percent rating effective November 10, 2010.,The Veteran's right knee strain does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury and disability manifested by sleeplessness with memory loss due to insufficient development or evidence.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen her claim for service connection of a bilateral foot condition (claimed as pes planus) and has determined that she is entitled to service connection due to aggravation during active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is not related to her service-connected hypertension, and instead more likely due to obesity. The other conditions listed are remanded for further review.,The Veteran’s claims for left shoulder disability, low back disability, bilateral foot disabilities, gastrointestinal disability (GERD), right hip disability, bilateral knee disability, and bilateral ankle disability are all being remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection of a bilateral foot disability as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus is granted. The Board finds that a VA examination is necessary to determine if the Veteran’s pre-existing bilateral pes planus worsened during active duty and whether it was aggravated by such service.

Service connection for a left ear condition is granted.,A 10 percent disability rating for the right foot prior to May 12, 2015 is granted. Ratings in excess of 10 percent from May 12, 2015 to April 4, 2017 and since April 5, 2017 are denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine condition remains pending as it has been remanded.

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for right and left shoulder disabilities, as well as a left foot disability (plantar fasciitis), due to new evidence being added to the file. The Veteran needs to be examined by VA to determine the etiology of his bilateral shoulder disabilities and left foot disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination and opinion regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral foot disability, including chronic lesions, is related to her service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury is granted. The claim for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis is denied. The claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, right shoulder disability, right knee disability, and lumbar spine disability are remanded.

The Veteran was unable to obtain or retain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities, and the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the service connection and SMC claims due to incomplete examinations and need for further medical opinions.