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

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea was denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.,The Veteran's claims for separate ratings for hammertoes, metatarsalgia, hallux valgus and flat feet secondary to his service-connected tinea pedis were also denied due to lack of evidence supporting a causal relationship between these conditions and his service-connected tinea pedis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for PTSD, as well as his claim for bilateral hearing loss and a bilateral foot disability are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented, reopening the claims of entitlement to service connection for low back, right leg, left leg, right foot, and left foot disabilities. The remaining issues on appeal are remanded.

The Board has dismissed the claims for numbness of the top and left side of the head, bilateral foot disability, left shoulder disability, and right knee disability as these issues have been resolved by a favorable rating decision.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection, special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance or housebound status, and TDIU due to inextricably intertwined issues. The Veteran's file must be updated with relevant VA and private treatment records, including VistA Imaging documents from the Atlanta VAMC. A VA examination is needed to address whether her plantar condyle, fifth metatarsal head of the left foot, was caused by or aggravated by her service-connected hallux valgus.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including left shoulder, thumb, foot, ankle and aorta disabilities, as secondary to his service-connected ankylosing spondylitis of the lumbar spine. The issues are related to whether these disabilities are manifestations or complications of his service-connected condition.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral plantar fasciitis fibromatosis prior to September 15, 2014 and granted a 50 percent rating from that date until February 12, 2018. The claim for TDIU was also denied.

The Board has granted a 10 percent initial rating for left foot disability and denied higher ratings. The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 10 percent since March 1, 2013. The claim for eczema was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board dismissed the TDIU claim as moot due to the assignment of a 100% rating for PTSD. The issues of service connection for bilateral pes planus and SMC based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status are remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus and right knee degenerative joint disease are remanded for further development as the Board found that there is a relative equipoise of evidence regarding whether these conditions were aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left hand disability, and left foot disability due to missing service treatment records and lack of evidence linking these conditions to active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder, sinusitis, a degenerative arthritis of the spine, intervertebral disc syndrome, and lumbosacral strain (claimed as low back disability), and bilateral flat foot disability due to inadequate VA examinations and lack of evidence regarding the relationship between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted, but the appeal is only granted to this extent. The remaining issues of service connection for left foot disability, left ankle disability, dermatological condition (actinic keratosis), and thoracolumbar spine disability are remanded.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The claim for service connection for tinnitus has been granted. The remaining issues of service connection for left foot disability, left ankle disability, dermatological condition (actinic keratosis), and thoracolumbar spine disability are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and development to determine the nature and etiology of his bilateral pes planus, right foot stress fracture, and service-connected right index finger fracture with detached extensor tendon tip.

The Board has withdrawn the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral foot disability and bilateral hearing loss. The claim for secondary service connection for bilateral hand disability to include as secondary to low back disability is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims of increased ratings for his bilateral flat feet and right foot metatarsalgia, DDD of the thoracolumbar spine, and right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome are remanded due to lack of recent VA examinations. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with these increased rating claims.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether left foot plantar fasciitis is secondary to service-connected right foot plantar fasciitis. The Veteran will need a new VA examination to determine this.

The Veteran's claim for VR&E benefits is remanded due to the need for a complete vocational rehabilitation file and additional evaluations. The Veteran also needs to provide evidence of unsuccessful attempts at employment in his chosen fields.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including skin and prostate conditions, as well as bilateral hand and leg disabilities. The claims are being remanded to obtain VA treatment records and to schedule the Veteran for VA examinations to address the nature and etiology of these disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's pes planus was aggravated by service. The case will be returned for a new examination and opinion.