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

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus, finding that there is no clear and unmistakable evidence of aggravation during service or due to a service-connected disability. The preexisting condition was noted at enlistment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a TBI and PTSD is granted. The claims for neck disability, right foot disability, right shoulder disability, left foot disability, and separate rating for depression are remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims to reopen service connection for various conditions, including low back disability, joint pains, muscle pains, left knee disability, foot disability, right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and a respiratory disability. The appeals are remanded for further development on these issues.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, thus denying his claim for TDIU.

The Board has denied service connection for COPD and remanded the claim of service connection for a left foot disability, to include as secondary to the Veteran’s service-connected right foot disability.

The Veteran's GERD with hiatal hernia is granted service connection on a direct basis. The Veteran's gastroenteritis and bilateral pes planus are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's mechanical low back pain, lumbar spine with degenerative changes, is currently rated as 20 percent disabling. The Board has found that the evidence does not support a higher rating.,Other claims have been remanded for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him so helpless as to require the regular aid and attendance of another person, nor does he qualify for housebound status based on his service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for right foot plantar fasciitis, left foot plantar fasciitis, and a respiratory condition (bronchitis) based on the evidence showing these conditions are at least as likely as not related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus (flat foot) as it is considered an acquired condition that was incurred during the appellant's period of active duty training.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus, erectile dysfunction, allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, bilateral foot disability (pes planus and plantar fasciitis), posterior tibial tendonitis, and degenerative joint disease are service-connected. However, due to new evidence of worsening symptoms and other issues, these claims are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have made him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, thus the Board has granted his claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's cause of death was not related to his service-connected conditions, including the presumptively service-connected coronary artery disease due to herbicide exposure. The Board determined that none of his service-connected disabilities contributed substantially or materially to his death.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for an updated VA examination to determine if the Veteran's pes planus clearly and unmistakably existed prior to service, and whether it was aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's pre-existing bilateral pes planus was aggravated by service, and the Board granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted the reopening of the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, but denied all other service connection claims. The decision on OSA is pending as it was remanded.

The Board has granted increased evaluations of 30 percent for the Veteran's service-connected left and right foot disabilities, effective from the date of claim.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis has been rated at a 10 percent disability level, reflecting moderate symptoms including pain. The appeal is granted.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was granted service connection. The issues of secondary service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for neck dysfunction are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral foot disability and right knee disabilities need further examination to determine their etiology and severity. The case is being remanded for these purposes.