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

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has not determined whether there is a valid claim for each condition. The evidence received since the final denial does relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate some of the claims (current disability), but does not establish a link between service and any current disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a fungus infection of the left foot has been reopened. The VA is remanded to determine if he should be granted an increased rating for bilateral pes planus and a separate rating for his left ankle bi-malleolar fracture, as well as continue with the PTSD evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for restoration of a 30 percent rating for bilateral foot strain and plantar fasciitis associated with left ankle tendonitis was denied as there was no evidence of actual improvement in the disability, despite the proposed reduction from 30 to 10 percent.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current left ankle disability or right ankle disability at any time during the pendency of the claim. The Veteran's representative argued for service connection based on secondary aggravation by his service-connected right knee disability, but this theory was not supported by medical evidence.,For the left foot and right foot disabilities, additional VA examination is needed to determine if they are aggravated by a service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral foot disability, including degenerative arthritis and pes planus, is rated at a combined 20 percent since July 1, 2011. The Board found the symptoms more nearly approximated moderate symptomatology in both feet.

The petition to reopen the service connection claim for diabetes mellitus was denied due to lack of new and material evidence.,The petition to reopen the service connection claim for a stomach disability, to include GERD and acid reflux, was denied due to lack of new and material evidence.,The petition to reopen the service connection claim for a skin disability manifested by brown spots was granted due to the receipt of new medical evidence that relates to the previously unestablished current disability element.,The petition to reopen the service connection claim for a bilateral foot disability was denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus and costochondritis have been rated, but the Board has remanded several other issues for further development.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral pes planus was dismissed due to the death of the appellant, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal at this time.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for initial disability ratings in excess of 10 percent for bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis prior to June 28, 2012, and in excess of 30 percent thereafter. The remand is due to inadequate VA examinations that did not address the frequency, duration, precipitating and alleviating factors, and extent of functional impairment related to flare-ups.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been dismissed due to their death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues are a skin disorder, including dermatitis and eczema, and residuals of a right ankle strain.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to determine the nature and etiology of any bilateral foot disability, including hallux valgus and degenerative changes. The Board also requests a VA examination to assess whether the preexisting pes planus was aggravated during service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus, right and left ankle disorders, and a psychiatric disorder has been denied. The Board found that the Veteran’s pes planus pre-existed service and did not increase in severity during service.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral feet and remanded the issue of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea. The Veteran's bilateral pes planus pre-existed service, and there is no evidence of aggravation during service. Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded due to a duty to assist error.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral pes planus and a lower back disorder were denied. The Board found that the Veteran's preexisting bilateral pes planus did not increase in severity beyond its natural progression during service, and there was no clear and unmistakable evidence of a preexisting lower back disorder. The current diagnoses of degenerative joint disease and spondylosis were not shown to be related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to issues with his bilateral foot disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder, left hip disorder, right hip disorder, and right elbow disorder. The appeals are now pending for further review.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for pes planus was denied. His claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus were also denied, as well as his claims for increased ratings for multiple service-connected scars.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis is denied.,The Board has remanded three issues related to knee disabilities: left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and right knee recurrent subluxation.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral pes planus (flat foot disability) and lumbar degenerative joint disease. The flat foot disability is not considered to have been aggravated by military service, nor is it etiologically related to service. Similarly, the lower back disability is not considered to be linked to service.