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

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of his claim for an increased rating for osteoarthritis first metatarsophalangeal joint with plantar fasciitis of the right foot.

The Veteran's appeal was withdrawn for the issue of arthritis of the hands. The right foot and ankle disability is rated as 20 percent, with a separate 10 percent rating for postoperative right ankle arthritis. The left leg and right leg disabilities are denied. Right hip and left hip disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for degenerative changes of thoracolumbar spine associated with bilateral pes planus has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and initial compensation are remanded due to the need for additional medical evidence, including updated treatment records and examinations.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted, and the right shoulder, ankle, and foot disabilities are remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, finding that the current condition is not related to military service or a service-connected right ankle achilles tendon.

The Board has determined that there was clear and unmistakable error in the October 1990 rating decision denying service connection for bilateral pes planus with hallux valgus, status post surgeries. As a result, the Veteran is now entitled to service connection for her previously-claimed disability as of the date of her initial August 1989 claim. The Board also granted service connection for right and left foot disabilities other than pes planus with hallux valgus, status post surgeries, based on aggravation by service. Service connection for breast cancer was denied due to lack of exposure during the presumptive period.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is granted a rating of 50 percent. Service connection for major depressive disorder and TDIU are granted effective April 3, 2018. The gout disability appeal is dismissed. Service connection for bronchial asthma and right ankle disability are remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis is rated at 10 percent prior to January 8, 2019 and at 30 percent thereafter. The Board denied the claim for a higher initial rating.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral ankles, feet, and right ear conditions due to new and material evidence. However, it denied his claim for service connection for pes planus as there was no increase in severity during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left foot disability (pes planus), right foot disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for service connection for bilateral shin splints, hypertension, and pes planus were denied due to lack of new and material evidence.,A rating in excess of 10% for degenerative joint disease of the sacroiliac joints was denied as there is no evidence of ankylosis or IVDS.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right foot disorder, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to an in-service injury or disease. The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was granted as service-connected.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for low back disability, foot disability (bilateral plantar fasciitis), and left hand disability (claimed as loss of motor skills) due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The Veteran must be provided with a VA examination to address his service connection claims.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for an opinion on the combined effect of her service-connected disabilities on her employability.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral pes planus, joint pain of the knees and elbows, and sleep apnea are denied. The Board found that the evidence does not support a grant of service connection based on presumptions due to undiagnosed illness or chronic multi-symptom illnesses.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition and bilateral pes planus with left foot fracture due to the need for VA examinations to determine the etiology of his disabilities, as well as the need for additional medical records.

The Veteran's hypertension, left knee disability, right knee disability, bilateral pes planus, left foot disability, left-hand disability (including nerve damage and scar), pseudofolliculitis barbae, and alopecia areata have been remanded for further examination and evaluation.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis with a calcaneal spur of the left foot is rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum rating available under the applicable diagnostic codes. The disability does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD.,The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is granted due to aggravation by military service.,Service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome or disability manifested by fatigue is denied.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,Service connection for tinnitus is granted.