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

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected conditions, including tendinitis of the left leg, ganglion cyst and scar of the left wrist, as well as his claimed left arm and foot disabilities. The spine disability claim is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and attempting to obtain SSA disability records. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claims.

The Veteran's initial increased ratings for bilateral pes planus are granted. The issues of service connection for a respiratory condition and headaches are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral foot condition, diagnosed as hallux valgus and pes planus, was incurred in service due to wearing ill-fitting military boots during training. The claim is granted.

The Veteran's post-THR left hip disability is rated at 50 percent, which is the maximum rating available under VA regulations. The low back disability remains rated at 20 percent.,Service connection for a left foot plantar fasciitis has been remanded due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Board has accepted jurisdiction over the issues of entitlement to service connection for shin splints, left and right lower extremities, as well as a right shoulder disability. The Veteran's claims are denied due to lack of current diagnoses.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right foot and ankle disabilities, as well as increased ratings for left retrocalcaneal bursitis, plantar fasciitis, and calcaneal spur. The Veteran's right foot disability may be related to her service-connected left foot disability. For the left ankle and foot disabilities, the Board found that a higher rating is not warranted based on current evidence.

The Board denied a TDIU prior to January 1, 2012 due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities not precluding him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal is not about service connection at all, but rather about rating decisions and remands for additional examinations or evidence. The appeals are related to his headaches, PTSD, right wrist overuse syndrome, left wrist overuse syndrome, and central serous retinopathy with diplopia.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and evaluation of various disabilities, including a lumbar spine disability, bilateral foot disabilities other than neuropathy, bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the feet, degenerative arthritis of the right knee, and entitlement to TDIU. The issues are inextricably intertwined.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and failure to address the Veteran's lay statements regarding his in-service foot problems.

The Board has granted a 50 percent evaluation for the Veteran's bilateral pes planus with bilateral calluses, finding that it meets the criteria for this rating based on significant deformity and inward bowing of the Achilles tendon.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral pes planus is being remanded due to the need to obtain private medical records from four doctors who treated his feet.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral foot condition, also claimed as plantar fasciitis, finding that the Veteran's current disability is at least as likely as not related to his military service.,Service connection was also granted for sleep apnea, with the Board finding that there is at least equipoise evidence in support of the claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral flat feet (pes planus) has been reopened. The claim for service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis remains denied.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for various conditions, including low back disability, bilateral foot disability, left leg disability (with rod emplacement), tinnitus, and diabetes mellitus. The appeals were all denied as new and material evidence was not received to reopen these claims.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,Service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and associated left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve is granted with an effective date of August 28, 2017.,Service connection for bilateral shin splints is remanded due to inadequate medical opinion.,Service connection for bilateral foot disorder, to include plantar fasciitis and bunions, is remanded due to inadequate medical opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right foot chronic plantar fasciitis are granted. The claim for service connection for sleep apnea is remanded.

The Veteran's bruxism, right ankle DJD/Arthritis, left shoulder acromioclavicular DJD and osteoarthritis, and deviated nasal septum have all been granted service connection.,However, the issue of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral ear disability beyond hearing loss and tinnitus (claimed as otitis media) remains pending.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the claims of service connection for hypertension and a bilateral foot disability, as well as the TDIU claim. The Veteran's current diagnoses are being reviewed to determine if they are related to his active duty service or any other relevant factors.