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

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral plantar fasciitis and erectile dysfunction due to insufficient reasons and bases in the July 2018 VA examination report. The Veteran is required to provide additional evidence, a VA examination will be scheduled, and opinions on the nature and causes of his conditions are needed.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus, plantar fasciitis, hallux valgus, DJD, and achilles and plantar surface enthesopathy have been rated at the highest possible level (50%) due to their severity. Separate ratings for other foot conditions are not warranted as they are considered symptoms of the primary condition.

The Board has ordered remand for the following claims: increased ratings for residuals of plantar wart removal left foot and sensory neuropathy of the left foot; increased rating for MDD prior to May 19, 2014; increased rating for MDD from May 19, 2014; TDIU prior to April 22, 2009; service connection for bilateral pes planus and any neurological disorder of the left foot other than sensory neuropathy. Remand is required due to outstanding records that need to be obtained.

The Veteran's disability rating for bilateral pes planus was reduced from 50% to 30%, effective November 1, 2016. The Board is remanding the case to determine if this reduction was proper.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral symptomatic ingrown toenails and bilateral plantar fasciitis, finding that there is no evidence to support these conditions during his active duty. The character of discharge determination for the period from September 21, 1982 to December 20, 1984 was upheld as proper under other than honorable conditions.

The Veteran's s/p left foot repair with osteoarthritis bilateral feet is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Board has determined that more contemporaneous examinations are needed to fully and fairly evaluate the Veteran's service-connected right ankle sprain and right foot disability, as well as determine whether he suffers from an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran is also directed to provide any outstanding treatment records pertinent to his claims on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for back and bilateral foot disabilities were denied. The Board found that the new evidence submitted did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims.

The Board has denied service connection for a right knee disability due to lack of evidence linking the current condition to service. The Veteran's current diagnosis is degenerative arthritis, which developed over many years post-service.,Service connection for hypertension and prostate disability are remanded as there is insufficient medical opinion regarding their onset or relationship to service.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for bilateral pes planus, headaches, and a right knee condition due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, hemorrhoids, and right and left foot disabilities are remanded for further development.,His claim for increased rating of acne vulgaris remains pending.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral plantar fasciitis and a right plantar calcaneal spur are being remanded due to the inadequacy of the July 2017 VA examination. The examiner did not reconcile findings with the Veteran’s STRs showing diagnoses and mention of these conditions during his service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral knee disorders and bilateral foot disorder due to outstanding VA treatment records, a need for a new examination, and further clarification on the nature of her pes planus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of pes planus, tinnitus, tension headaches, or an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD and depression. The TBI claim is remanded for further examination.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's death, and no service connection was granted or denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings due to incomplete examinations, lack of adequate range of motion testing, and need for additional medical opinions. The issues include left and right foot disabilities, as well as increased evaluations for low back and right knee conditions.

The Board has decided the case must be remanded due to an inaccurate premise in a previous addendum opinion and the need for a new VA examination to assess whether the Veteran's left foot pain qualifies as a disability.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is granted as service-connected.,Increased ratings are required for cervical spine DJD, right shoulder arthritis, sarcoidosis, and bilateral pinguecula.,Service connection is denied for fibromyalgia, polyarthritis (claimed as polyarthritis), chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory disability, and sleep disability. Additional examinations are needed to determine the etiology of these conditions.,The Veteran's knee scars, right elbow disability, left great toe disability, low back disability, bilateral hip disability, bilateral wrist disability, and bilateral ankle disability are remanded for further examination.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating increases are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted service connection, and his left shoulder disability, OSA, and hypertension were denied. The claims for residuals of H. pylori infection and duodenal ulcer, personality disorder, and bilateral plantar fasciitis are all granted.