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

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various hip, foot, and skin disabilities have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals.,The Veteran also had his claims of right ear hearing loss disability, left ear hearing loss disability, and tinnitus reopened.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for acid reflux, sleep apnea, sinusitis and allergies, and bilateral foot disability due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The claims are being returned for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder is granted a 100 percent rating, effective May 7, 2018. The issues of service connection for bilateral pes planus, ischemic heart disease, and neuropathy are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and additional private treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral foot disability has been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis is granted an increased rating of 30 percent, effective throughout the appeal period. The initial rating for his surgical scar from right tendon repair remains denied.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to secure the Veteran's service treatment records and to determine if any post-service medical records are available. The claims for service connection for hip disorders, foot disorder, hypertension, intracerebral hemorrhage (claimed as aneurysm), and hemorrhoids will be remanded.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating of PTSD was granted, and she is now receiving a 70% disability rating. The Board also found that the Veteran meets the criteria for TDIU based on her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence and a need for additional private treatment records. The Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral foot disability, including pes planus and plantar fasciitis, is being reviewed.

The Board denied service connection for TBI due to lack of current disability. The Board remanded the issues regarding left knee and right foot disabilities, as there is no clear evidence that they are related to active service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for multiple conditions, including fibromyalgia (claimed as multiple joint aches), memory loss, migraines, and lumbar spine disability are granted. The remaining issues on appeal remain pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new evidence and updated medical history.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral foot disability, finding that his current condition is at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Veteran's hearing loss was found to be at level I in the right ear and level III in the left ear, resulting in a non-compensable rating. The flat feet issue is remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of mumps has been denied as there is no current disability and the evidence does not support a finding that his current groin pain is related to his in-service mumps.,The Veteran's right knee disability claim was withdrawn at his hearing, thus the issue is dismissed.,Service connection for sleep apnea was denied due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service. The only reported symptoms were snoring and occasional periods of apnea during marriage after service.,Service connection for TMJ was denied as there is no evidence that the Veteran's current TMJ disability is related to his in-service mumps, which is considered a symptom of the same condition.,The Veteran's claim for bilateral pes planus remains pending and requires further examination by VA medical personnel.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for pes planus of both feet due to new and material evidence, but has remanded them for further evaluation as the October 2017 fee-based examiner's opinion on whether the preexisting condition was aggravated during service is unclear.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a right hip disability and bilateral pes planus due to incomplete records. The Veteran must provide any outstanding VA and private medical treatment records.

The Board has granted the Veteran's applications to reopen his claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension, both secondary to PTSD. The other claims have been denied as new and material evidence was not provided.

The Veteran's PTSD due to MST is granted service connection, and his right and left foot disabilities are remanded for further examination. The claim for secondary service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for entitlement to increased ratings for his service-connected left and right foot plantar fasciitis due to a lack of rationale in the March 2019 VA examiner's opinion regarding the severity of the Veteran’s bilateral plantar fasciitis.