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

The Veteran's claims for service connection for anxiety, increased evaluation for right ankle disability, and increased evaluation for bilateral pes planus were denied. The Veteran was granted a 20 percent evaluation for the residuals of recurrent inversion injury to his right ankle.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right foot plantar fasciitis and left foot plantar fasciitis as secondary to her service-connected ankle conditions due to lack of evidence supporting a causal link between the current diagnoses and her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a heart disability and left foot disability due to inconsistencies in medical records and need for further examination.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations conducted in January 2019 did not adequately address the Veteran's lay statements regarding her use of ill-fitting footwear during service and thus remanded for another examination. The Veteran's gynecological disability claim is also remanded as there are insufficient medical opinions to adjudicate the claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral flatfeet, bilateral ankle disability, tinnitus, perforation of the right ear drum, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and headaches have been granted. The claim for service connection for lumbar spondylosis (residuals, low back strain) has also been granted.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various knee and foot disabilities due to inadequate examination records, and to obtain additional VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus is being remanded due to inadequate examination findings. The issue of revising the June 1980 rating decision on CUE is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the service connection claim.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus with bunionectomy, left ankle degenerative arthritis, and right ankle arthrodesis and osteoarthritis do not meet the criteria for a TDIU due to his ability to maintain employment.,The Veteran’s bilateral pes planus with bunionectomy disability is currently rated at 50% disabling. The AOJ should refer the issue of an extraschedular rating to VA's Director of Compensation Service for consideration.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for several issues, including those related to pes planus, migraines, pseudofolliculitis barbae, adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, bursitis of the right hip (limitation of flexion), bursitis of the right hip (impairment of thigh), bursitis of the right hip (limitation of extension), and lumbar strain. As a result, these issues are dismissed.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus, right knee disability, and right shoulder disability are all granted as service-connected. The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is also granted as secondary to PTSD.,Service connection for a low back disability is denied.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection for balance problems. The claim to reopen for service connection for headaches was granted, and the Veteran's headaches are found to be at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by her service-connected PTSD. The claims for service connection for sinus disorder, bilateral flat feet, and bilateral glaucoma are remanded.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability and bilateral foot disability, to include pes planus, are granted. The remaining issues of service connection for right shoulder degenerative joint disease, left shoulder degenerative joint disease, and bilateral foot pain are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of the service-connected right plantar fasciitis and right calcaneus arthralgia, as well as whether flat feet are at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by these conditions. The issues of service connection for flat feet and an increased rating for right plantar fasciitis and right calcaneus arthralgia will be addressed in light of the additional evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for chronic fatigue syndrome and bilateral pes planus due to incomplete service personnel records and need for further medical examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating and TDIU based on his bilateral pes planus, as these issues are inextricably intertwined with the appeal of an earlier effective date.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary due to the Veteran's incarceration and allegations of stressor events. The claims for PTSD, sleep apnea, bilateral pes planus, and right knee disability are remanded.

The Veteran's VR&E benefits were remanded due to the lack of a copy of the February 2016 letter of determination and incomplete vocational rehabilitation files. The AOJ is instructed to obtain these documents, associate them with the electronic claims file, and arrange for a functional capacity evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeals for service connection of right foot, right arm, and stomach disabilities due to a lack of timely notice of disagreement (NOD) filed within one year from the date of issuance of the June 2014 rating decision.

The Veteran's claims for tinnitus, sleep apnea, and bilateral knee disability have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The claim for tinnitus has been granted.,The claims for bilateral hearing loss, right foot disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) are remanded as there is no clear or competent medical evidence establishing a link between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of left and right foot disabilities, as well as sinusitis, are being remanded due to the need for additional development. The decision on whether a TDIU is warranted prior to November 30, 2018 remains pending.