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

The Board has remanded the case to the Director of Compensation Service for consideration of whether entitlement to a TDIU is warranted on an extraschedular basis due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection of dry eye due to withdrawal. The claims for compensable ratings for seborrheic dermatitis, plantar warts, and PTSD are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for left foot plantar fasciitis, finding that it began in active service and continues to this day.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not provide sufficient new and material evidence to reopen his claim for a lumbar vertebral mass, but granted service connection for bilateral pes planus and migraine headaches. Service connection was also denied for neck disability and arthritis of the right foot.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a recurrent lumbosacral spine disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, and right foot disability due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's hearing loss was not shown during active service or at any time thereafter.

The Veteran's bilateral flat feet were first diagnosed during service and the Board found no clear and unmistakable evidence that it existed prior to service, thus granting service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disorder, pes planus, and hepatitis C due to incomplete medical evidence. The RO must obtain a VA examination or arrange for an examination at the correctional facility if possible.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment since July 6, 2006. The Board has granted a TDIU effective that date, along with an effective date for Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits of the same date.

The Board has decided to remand the service connection claims for various disabilities, including low back, neck, knee, ankle, and foot injuries sustained during military service. The Veteran's contentions include injuries from falling off helicopters and hitting his head and back in 1999, as well as knee and ankle injuries in 2000. VA is instructed to schedule the Veteran for an examination to determine if these disabilities are related to his service.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral foot disability and prostate disability were remanded. The Board finds that the earliest possible effective date for the award of service connection for hypertension is August 1, 2017—the date of his claim.,The Veteran’s claims of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral foot disability and prostate disability should be remanded to afford the Veteran VA examinations.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for hypertension was remanded. The Board finds that remand is warranted to obtain outstanding records and address the absence of evidence in the Veteran’s STRs.,The Veteran’s claim of entitlement to service connection for restless leg syndrome was remanded. Remand is warranted to afford the Veteran a new VA examination.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD was remanded. The Board finds that remand is warranted to obtain an addendum opinion concerning the etiology of the Veteran’s PTSD.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to a compensable disability rating for cataracts status post lens implants and dry eye syndrome was remanded. Remand is warranted to afford the Veteran a new VA examination.

The Board dismissed all the appeals related to service connection for various conditions and ratings, as well as SMC based on aid and attendance and/or housebound due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeals.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis and muscle and joint pain of the back and shoulders, to include as secondary to Gulf War service. The case is remanded for further development regarding service connection for stimulant use disorder and alcohol use disorder, to include as secondary to PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's preexisting bilateral pes planus was aggravated during service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include an acquired psychiatric disorder, a skin condition affecting the left foot, bilateral hearing loss, and bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's feet conditions are currently rated as 50 percent disabling from January 1, 2011 to October 9, 2015. The initial rating of 50 percent is the highest schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 5276.,The Veteran is entitled to initial ratings of 40 and 30 percent for right and left upper extremity radiculopathy, respectively, for the entire appeal period.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative changes of the lumbar spine. The remaining issues have been remanded due to need for additional examinations and evaluations.

The Veteran's right ankle sprain and right foot disability have been granted service connection, with a rating of 20 percent for the right ankle sprain.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus and right foot hallux valgus, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease related to these conditions. The Board also found that any aggravation of these conditions by service-connected disabilities did not meet the criteria.

The Board has granted a temporary 100 percent rating for convalescence due to the November 5, 2009 arthrodesis of the right foot's proximal interphalangeal joint, which was necessary due to service-connected bilateral pes planus with hallux valgus, hallux rigidus and hammertoes.