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

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus disability is being remanded for a VA examination to assess its current severity.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for a comprehensive VA examination to address his chronic shin splints and related disabilities of the lower extremities, including ankles, knees, and feet.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for back disability, headaches, bilateral foot disability (numbness), tinnitus, hypertension, and mental health disorder. The decision found that new and material evidence was not received to reopen any of these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus, degenerative joint disease of the bilateral ankles with residuals of avulsion fractures of the ankles, and degenerative joint disease of the bilateral knees. The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is also considered to have had its onset in service.

The Veteran's claims for right and left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, bilateral foot disability (claimed as pes planus/pain), headaches, and a psychiatric disorder have been denied. The Board has found that the evidence does not support service connection for these conditions.,Further evaluation is needed to determine if the Veteran has current diagnoses of these conditions or their residuals.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right leg disability, left arm disability, high blood pressure, headaches, and sleep apnea. The decision also granted a TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee strain, left knee strain, prostate disorder, kidney disorder, and foot disability. The effective dates are not specified.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain and/or secure substantially gainful employment, as his education and work history suggest he can perform sedentary or light work.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various disabilities, including left shoulder, right shoulder, lumbar spine, cervical spine, right knee, and right foot disabilities. Diabetes mellitus is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral pes planus and a heart disorder due to lack of proper notification for VA examinations, and because an addendum opinion was not obtained.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent prior to August 3, 2017 and a rating in excess of 20 percent from August 3, 2017 for fascial defect with DJD, postoperative residual of the right lower extremity due to insufficient medical opinions regarding causation and aggravation.

The Board denied the Veteran's requests for earlier effective dates for service connection and increased ratings, finding that June 18, 2015 was the appropriate date based on receipt of his claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are now pending. The Board has found new and material evidence to support the reopening of his claims.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis with degenerative arthritis were not severe enough to warrant a rating greater than 10 percent prior to December 1, 2018.

The Board has remanded the cases of pseudofolliculitis barbae and bilateral flatfoot/pes planus for further development due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's tinnitus is not service-connected as it did not begin during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.,The Veteran’s bilateral pes planus does not warrant a compensable rating as her symptoms are relieved by orthotic inserts.

The Veteran's right thumb disability, sinusitis, flat feet (pes planus), bunions of the feet, and arthritis of the feet have all been denied.,There is no evidence to support service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of discussion on whether the Veteran's bilateral foot disorder is a congenital defect or disease. The matter will be further examined and reviewed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities, including headaches, low back disability, knee and shin disabilities, stomach/digestive issues, radiculopathy, and a psychiatric condition are remanded due to insufficient medical evidence on file. The Veteran is presumed sound upon entry into service.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his lumbosacral strain and facet degenerative joint disease was denied, with the exception of a temporary grant of a 10 percent disability rating from April 11, 2016 to October 17, 2018. The Veteran's bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis were granted a 10 percent initial disability rating.,The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and facet degenerative joint disease was denied for ratings in excess of the currently assigned 40 percent prior to October 17, 2018. The Veteran's bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis were granted a 10 percent initial disability rating.