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

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require regular aid and attendance of another person, as he is unable to perform daily activities such as dressing, grooming, bathing, feeding himself, and attending to his needs. The Board has granted SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus should be remanded due to confusion regarding representation.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the appellant's failure to appear for a foot examination, and requests that an appropriate examination be rescheduled.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for compensable initial ratings for his right knee strain, left knee strain, and bilateral plantar fasciitis as there was no evidence of instability or subluxation in either knee joint. The Veteran's motion range of motion did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's foot disability, including bilateral plantar fasciitis with degenerative arthritis of the first metatarsophalangeal joint and hallux rigidus, was rated at 10 percent prior to August 11, 2014. Ratings in excess of 30 percent were granted from August 11, 2014 to April 19, 2018, and a maximum rating of 50 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have worsened, and she now requires a wheelchair. The Board has ordered new evaluations to determine the current severity of her conditions and their impact on her ability to walk without assistance.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis and granted an initial rating of 10 percent for the Veteran's left foot third toe nondisplaced fracture, but did not find a direct relationship between his current conditions and military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for DDD was granted, with the Board finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise that his current diagnosis of DDD began during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran's claim for reopening of service connection for bilateral pes planus and secondary plantar fascitis was granted. The Board found new and material evidence had been received, allowing the claim to be reopened.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral pes planus, finding no increase in disability during service and no evidence of aggravation by a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been dismissed due to the Veteran opting into the Appeals Modernization Act (AMA) system. The case is remanded for further development regarding his glaucoma disability.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's preexisting bilateral pes planus was not aggravated by service, and thus denied her claim for service connection. The decision is remanded due to insufficient rationale in the VA opinion provided.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected plantar fasciitis or other disabilities have aggravated his preexisting right pes planus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral foot disability is not service-connected, as there is no credible evidence of an in-service injury or incident.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.,Service connection for residuals of meningitis was also denied due to lack of a current diagnosis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his combined disability ratings did not meet the schedular criteria for TDIU and that he was unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment in light of his education and occupational experience.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding the Veteran's left foot plantar fasciitis. The Veteran is seeking service connection for psoriasis of the hands and ankles, which have been denied. Service connection for left foot plantar fasciitis remains pending.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and hemorrhoids have been granted service connection. The left foot disability, right foot disability, and low back disability have all been denied.,Service connection for a bilateral foot disability has not been established due to lack of current diagnosis.

The Veteran's left heel spur, plantar fasciitis and right heel spur syndrome, plantar fasciitis have been granted increased disability ratings of 20 percent each from March 21, 2017 through July 17, 2017.,A higher rating for the bilateral plantar fasciitis with bilateral heel spurs is denied.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was aggravated during service, and his right ankle strain is etiologically related to service. Service connection for both conditions has been granted.

The Veteran's right foot disability, specifically the second toe injury, is rated at 10 percent and denied for an increased rating.