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

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left shoulder disability and bilateral plantar fasciitis due to inadequate VA examination reports, failure to explain application of rating codes, and need for additional evidence. The Veteran is scheduled for a new VA examination to assess her current level of severity and determine any separate and distinct foot disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine if the Veteran has a current low back disability, right knee or lower extremity disability, left knee or lower extremity disability, and bilateral foot pes planus. The Veteran's service records do not provide sufficient information for these determinations.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on multiple disabilities remains pending and requires further development. The Board has ordered additional examinations to address the etiology of his claimed conditions, as well as to determine if there are any new or material issues that need to be addressed.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral degenerative arthritis of the feet and granted service connection for bilateral pes planus. The Board found that arthritis was not incurred in or caused by service, but that pes planus began during service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a right foot disability and granted it, finding that new evidence received since the last final denial raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral ankle disability, left plantar fasciitis, and pes planus as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability. The remand requires additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance of another person is remanded due to inconsistencies in his claims file, including VA medical records and examination reports that do not fully support his assertion.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus. The issue of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for chronic dermatitis and a 10 percent evaluation for multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a bilateral foot disability, finding that there was no increase in disability during service and thus not warranting service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board denied compensation under 38 U.S.C. § § 1151 for a left foot disability, but granted extraschedular ratings of 10 percent for hammer toes on both the left and right feet.

The Board has remanded the claims for recurrent headaches and left ankle strain due to insufficient examination findings.,Service connection is denied for bilateral foot disability, chronic ear infections, and recurrent headaches.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation of 30 percent for bilateral pes planus from June 14, 2012 to July 17, 2018 is granted. The claim for an increased rating exceeding 10 percent for bilateral pes planus from July 18, 2018 is denied.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disorder and the issue of entitlement to an effective date prior to June 14, 2012 for a grant of service connection for bilateral pes planus are both REMANDED.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on four specific conditions (left inguinal hernia, left shoulder disability, right foot disability, and back disability) have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal. The Board has also remanded two additional issues: service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran withdrew all of his appeals regarding the service connection for left knee disability, left hand carpal tunnel syndrome, and other conditions. The Board has dismissed the appeal as there are no remaining issues to consider.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant before a decision could be made.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, Major Depression, and related disabilities are granted. The claims for CFS, fibromyalgia, and a skin disability are denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding her bilateral pes planus claim. The Board finds that a medical opinion is needed to determine if the Veteran's diagnosed bilateral pes planus had its onset in, or is otherwise related to, her military service.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral foot disability, finding that the Veteran's preexisting condition did not worsen during active duty and there was no clear and unmistakable evidence of aggravation.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate discussion of whether the bilateral foot symptoms are distinct and if separate ratings should be assigned. The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for bilateral plantar fasciitis and pes cavus is now pending.