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

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of bilateral pes planus is remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate December 2017 VA examination and opinion regarding loss of use of both feet. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are being evaluated for their impact on her ability to use adaptive equipment or a vehicle.

Effective dates of December 5, 2007 have been granted for right carpal tunnel syndrome, right wrist chronic sprain, degenerative arthritis of the spine (claimed as degenerative disease, lower back), bilateral pes planus (claimed as left foot and right foot condition), temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, and tinnitus.,Effective dates prior to July 3, 2014 have been denied for allergic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis ethoidectomy, maxillary sinus reconstruction and polypectomies, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity (claimed as pain, numbness), and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity (claimed as pain, numbness).

The Veteran's claims for service connection for plantar calluses of the left and right feet, hemorrhoids, and a psychiatric disorder (anxiety and depression) have been denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions during or within one year after his military service.

The Veteran's plantar fasciitis, claimed as flat feet and bilateral foot pain, is denied because the evidence does not show that it began during service or is related to an in-service injury.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for exercise induced asthma, vision disorder (splotches in vision), left hand disability, and right foot disability have been denied.,The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection as his claimed conditions were not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral foot condition, major depressive disorder, and sleep apnea. The Veteran's pre-existing foot conditions are not considered to have been aggravated by his military service, and the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection due to secondary effects of his peptic ulcer disease.,Service connection was also denied for depression as it is not shown to be related to service or a service-connected disability. The Board found that sleep apnea did not have its onset in service and is not related to any service-connected condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the Veteran's bilateral foot disabilities, specifically his plantar fasciitis and pes planus.

The Veteran's allergic reactions and bilateral feet condition are not service-connected.,The Veteran's sinusitis is not service-connected.,For the entire appeal period, the Veteran’s lumbar spine disability is manifested by at worst forward flexion to 50 degrees. The criteria for a higher rating have not been met.,For the entire appeal period, the Veteran’s left lower extremity radiculopathy is manifested by at worst moderately severe incomplete paralysis. The criteria for a higher rating have not been met.,For the entire appeal period, the Veteran’s right lower extremity radiculopathy is manifested by at worst moderate incomplete paralysis. The criteria for a higher rating have not been met.,For the entire appeal period, the Veteran’s left knee condition is manifested by at worst frequent episodes of locking, pain, and effusion. The criteria for a higher rating have not been met.,For the entire appeal period, the Veteran’s right knee traumatic arthritis is manifested by at worst painful motion. The criteria for a higher rating have not been met.,For the entire appeal period, the Veteran’s PTSD is manifested by at worst flattened affect, disturbances of motivation and mood, sleep impairment, depression, anxiety, and difficulty establishing and maintaining work and social relationships. The criteria for a higher rating have not been met.,For the entire appeal period, the Veteran’s left wrist disability is manifested by at worst painful motion. The criteria for a higher rating have not been met.

The Veteran's back condition, right shoulder pain, and bilateral plantar fasciitis are all found to be related to service. The Veteran is granted service connection for these conditions.,Service connection has been established for DJD of the lumbar spine, a right shoulder condition manifested by pain, and bilateral plantar fasciitis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain or maintain a substantially gainful occupation, meeting the criteria for TDIU benefits.

The Veteran's right ankle disability warrants a rating of 20 percent from October 21, 2010 forward. The claims for service connection for right and left foot disabilities are remanded due to the failure to issue a Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's claims for tinnitus, migraine headache disability, herpes disability, sleep disorder, athlete’s foot, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, low back strain disability, left hip disability, right hip disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, plantar fasciitis, and shin splints have been denied.,The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for his right and left eye disabilities due to incomplete information.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received sufficient to readjudicate the claims of entitlement to service connection for pes planus, frostbite of the feet, back pain, diabetes, poor vision, a right knee condition, and frostbite of the hands. The appeals are remanded for further development.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the appellant's death.

The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to address the etiology of the Veteran's groin condition, right foot pes planus, right foot hallux valgus, and right knee osteoarthritis. The claims have been remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a bilateral foot disorder (including pes planus and plantar fasciitis) and a bilateral knee condition are granted. The Board found that the Veteran's preexisting conditions were aggravated by his active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation since June 2, 2018.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral foot, left knee, and right heel disabilities due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA).

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis was granted, and the effective date of December 2, 2015 is established.