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

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and insufficient examination addressing secondary service connection for a left foot disability. The Veteran's claims are being returned for further action.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to new evidence being associated with his case and a need for additional examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus was aggravated by service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for a temporary total disability rating based on convalescence due to left foot surgery in November 2007 was found timely submitted and granted.

The Board has dismissed the appellant's claims for service connection for a left foot condition, claimed as plantar fasciitis; a right foot condition, claimed as hallux valgus; and hearing loss disability. The appeal was deemed inadequate due to lack of specific allegations of error in the determinations.,The petition to reopen the previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for right tronchanteric bursitis is granted.

The Board has determined that an extraschedular rating for bilateral pes planus is not warranted due to the retroactive application of a final rule, and the case is being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence in some cases, and requests that additional treatment records be obtained. The Veteran is not granted service connection for all of his claimed conditions as more evidence is needed.

The Veteran's service connection claims for flat feet and a heart condition due to herbicide agent exposure are denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or causation.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities, including cervical spine disability, back disability, bilateral foot disability, tinnitus, sleep disability, chest disability, diabetes mellitus (to include as secondary to herbicide exposure), TBI, hypertension, and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy have all been denied. The dental condition claim has also been referred for adjudication.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is rated at 30 percent, but the Board finds no evidence to support a higher rating based on current symptoms and examination findings.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for pes planus is reopened, and hypertension is granted as secondary to PTSD. The case is remanded for a VA opinion on whether the Veteran's pre-existing pes planus was aggravated by his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a foot disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to incomplete VA treatment records and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for service connection of bilateral pes planus, finding that April 14, 2016 is the earliest possible effective date due to lack of prior formal or informal claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus, finding that her preexisting condition did not increase in severity during service and thus could not be considered aggravated.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as his right foot, cervical spine, right hip, and right leg disabilities are granted. The Veteran’s right wrist disability claim is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, achilles tendonitis, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, low back disability, pes planus, bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, edema of the lower extremities, residuals of a head injury, migraine headaches, carpal tunnel syndrome, sciatica of the left leg, and psychiatric disorder manifested by a head injury, all related to Reserve service. The Board found that there was no evidence of disease or injury incurred in or aggravated during ACDUTRA or INACDUTRA.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent since June 29, 2014, for a bilateral foot disability is remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and testing.

The Board has granted service connection for a left foot disability and an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The increased rating claim for right foot hallux valgus is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions due to additional relevant evidence being added to his claims file.

The Board has determined that the evidence currently of record is sufficient to substantiate the Appellant’s claim for accrued benefits based on pending claims for service connection for a right and left foot disability. The case was remanded due to issues with the Veteran's right knee/leg disability, and it is now being remanded again.