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

The Veteran's bilateral flatfoot disability is rated at 50 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available. The Board has also remanded issues related to PTSD and SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance for bilateral rigid foot orthoses, specifically for plantar fasciitis, was denied as the evidence did not show that his use of the orthotic caused wear and tear to his clothes.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back, left hip, left ankle, and left foot disabilities due to his service-connected left femur and left knee disability. The Veteran testified that these disabilities are aggravated by his service-connected left femur and left knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and related disabilities are remanded due to conflicting diagnoses and the need for further evaluation.,The Veteran's claims for left foot disability, skin disability, seizure disability, hypertension, hepatitis C, herpes, and dental disability are remanded due to the need for further evaluation of their relationship to service-connected conditions.,The Veteran's claims for hypertension, hepatitis C, and herpes are remanded due to the need for further evaluation of their relationship to service-connected conditions.,The Veteran's claims for herpes and dental disability are remanded due to the need for further evaluation of their relationship to service-connected conditions.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to June 1, 2006, is remanded due to the need for further evaluation of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased rating for bilateral pes planus, and the Board dismissed the case.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and medical opinions to address whether the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability, right foot injury residuals, and degenerative joint disease of the right hip are related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for further development due to inadequate opinions from a specialist regarding the etiology of his calcaneal spurs and plantar fibromatosis.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating prior to July 28, 2017, and a rating in excess of 30 percent thereafter for bilateral flatfoot (pes planus) is denied. The claim of entitlement to an effective date earlier than July 28, 2017 for the assignment of a 20 percent disability rating for disc bulge of lumbar spine with bilateral sacroiliac joint disease with erosive changes is dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for migraines was granted effective February 2, 2017. The claim for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) eligibility was also granted effective November 28, 2018.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, pes planus, and disabilities of the knees due to a lack of medical examination.

The Board has dismissed all claims due to the lack of an adequate substantive appeal for each issue.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus and bilateral hammer toes, finding that the Veteran's conditions were aggravated by his military service.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary due to the need for updated VA examinations and notification regarding TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for left ankle, right knee, and bilateral foot disabilities have been reopened. The claim for lumbosacral strain has been granted.,Service connection is denied for the left ankle disability as there is no evidence of a current condition or chronic impairment.

The Board has denied service connection for a skin disorder, pseudofolliculitis barbae. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and depression), left foot disorder, and low back disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral SI sclerosis, left and right foot DJD with mild plantar fasciitis, left knee arthralgia, and right knee subluxation and instability have been granted ratings. Service connection for a cervical spine disorder has also been established.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was aggravated during active duty service. His bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service acoustic trauma.

The Board has denied service connection for hypertension and remanded the cases of bilateral plantar fasciitis and right hip injury due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient clarity in the VA opinion regarding whether the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral pes planus worsened during service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus is being remanded due to the inadequacy of a previous VA examination. The Board finds that an addendum opinion is needed to address the continuity of her foot pain symptoms and treatment since service.