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

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination. The Board is requesting verification of herbicide agent exposure, obtaining treatment records, and seeking addendum opinions on the etiology of his disabilities.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to incomplete information about his self-employment and the need for updated VA treatment records. Additionally, a VA examination is required to assess the functional impairment caused by his service-connected right knee degenerative joint disease, thoracolumbar spine degenerative joint disease with compression fracture, left knee strain, tinnitus, residuals of surgical scar, right lower abdomen, and residuals of surgical scar, right perineum.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral pes planus, lumbosacral strain, and ankle contractures, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted entitlement to total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus is being remanded due to the need for a medical examination to determine if his current condition was aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral pes planus, a lumbar spine disability, and a respiratory disability. The issues have been remanded to allow for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disability has worsened since the last VA examination in August 2015, and he now requires surgery and orthopedic shoes. The Board finds a new VA examination is necessary to assess the current severity of his service-connected bilateral foot disability.

The Veteran's residuals of a bilateral hand and feet cold injury have been granted service connection. The issues of bilateral foot disability and right shoulder disorder are remanded for further review.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, diagnosed as unspecified depressive disorder and unspecified anxiety disorder, is granted service connection.,Service connection for a neck disability is denied due to lack of in-service injury or event.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis with calcaneal spurs was granted a 30 percent rating from December 7, 2010 to November 25, 2013 and again from June 27, 2018 to July 1, 2018. The Veteran's claim for higher ratings prior to this period and since July 2, 2018 was denied.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are granted as secondary to his service-connected depressive disorder. The GERD, bilateral heel pain, and ingrown toenail disabilities remain under review for higher evaluations.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete opinions regarding whether the Veteran's left foot disability is related to service or her right ankle disability, and if so, whether it was caused by or aggravated by her right ankle disability.

The Veteran's sarcoidosis is granted service connection, and his erectile dysfunction, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), right knee disability, left knee disability, right foot disability, and left foot disability are all remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a left knee disability, depressive disorder, back disability, bilateral hip and foot disabilities, and hernia (right inguinal) has been granted. However, the claims for sleep disorder secondary to a service-connected disability and for a rating in excess of 30 percent for right knee disability prior to July 2015, 2013 and after September 1, 2014 are remanded.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's low back disability, including rating claims and service connection for various lower extremity and hip/knee disabilities. The Veteran is also seeking service connection for renal dysfunction. Additional evidence is needed, particularly from VA providers, and a comprehensive examination is required.

Service connection is granted for bilateral ankle, foot, and knee conditions as manifestations of an undiagnosed illness or chronic multi-symptom illness due to service in the Persian Gulf.,The Veteran's disabilities are related to his service in the Southwest Asia Theater of operations during the Persian Gulf War.

The Board has denied a higher rating for the Veteran's bilateral foot disability and remanded the issues of lumbosacral strain, bilateral hand condition, and vision condition. The case is now REMANDED to issue a Statement of the Case on these matters.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 50% rating for service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis is denied. The Board found no factually ascertainable increase in disability prior to December 29, 2016.

A 50 percent rating for bilateral pes planus is granted prior to January 4, 2019. A rating in excess of 50 percent for bilateral pes planus since January 4, 2019, is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD was denied. The Board found that there is no current diagnosis of a mental condition and thus denied the claim. However, the May 1995 rating decision containing CUE in denying service connection for bilateral pes planus was granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection due to incomplete or insufficient evidence, including a need for updated VA treatment records and examinations.