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

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for malaria was denied. The appeals for service connection for back, left ankle, right ankle, bilateral foot (pes planus), bilateral eyesight loss, and bilateral hearing loss were dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD is remanded, as well as the issue of entitlement to TDIU.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including hip, knee, and foot disabilities, headaches, sleep apnea, hypertension, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule the Veteran for VA examinations to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis and right knee tendonitis have been reopened. The VA has remanded these issues for further development.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability, right leg radiculopathy, and sinusitis have also been remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for whether new and material has been received to reopen a claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for acromioclavicular separation with degenerative joint disease of the right shoulder, and entitlement to an initial compensable rating for eczema have all been dismissed. The appeals for the remaining issues are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disorder, right ankle tendonitis, left ankle tendonitis, and bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis due to potential inconsistencies in his medical records. The RO is instructed to obtain any missing treatment records from chiropractors and emergency departments where he sought treatment prior to 1992.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations for the Veteran's knee and foot disabilities were inadequate, as they did not consider the Veteran’s in-service treatment records. The Board also found that no VA examination was provided for the Veteran's hand disabilities. Therefore, the case is being remanded to obtain new VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current bilateral foot disability and his service. The Veteran is seeking service connection for a bilateral foot disability, which may be related to an in-service diagnosis of acute arthritis.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but has remanded the issues of service connection for back disability, rhinitis (claimed as hay fever), hemorrhoids, residuals of a cervix surgery, and bilateral foot disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his right knee conditions, limitation of extension of the right knee, and instability of the right knee have been dismissed. The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right hip disability, left foot disability, atrial fibrillation (claimed as ischemic heart disease), and chronic liver condition are remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection as it was caused by his active duty. The bilateral hand and foot disabilities are denied as they did not have their onset during service, were not related to an in-service injury or disease, and there is no evidence of herbicide exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and examination due to increased severity of symptoms since the last VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left foot disability has been reopened and granted. The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his service-connected left ring finger DJD status post fracture and surgery is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his service-connected left foot arrow wound with plantar fasciitis is being remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a comprehensive examination.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for upper respiratory disability, low back disability, bilateral knee disability, pes planus, acquired psychiatric disability (likely depression and anxiety), and left shoulder disability due to incomplete development. The Veteran's allergic rhinitis is also being evaluated.

The Veteran's right foot disability has been rated at 10 percent since May 2011. The Board found that the evidence did not show symptoms of a moderately-severe injury, and thus denied an increased rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus was reopened due to new and material evidence. The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral pes planus disability is at least as likely as not aggravated by his military service, including training over several decades of service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral pes planus, bilateral knee/leg disorder, and back disorder with arthritis as the evidence did not show a direct relationship to active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left ear disorder, lumbar spine disorder, bilateral pes planus, nonservice-connected disability pension, and TDIU were denied. The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his meniscal disability was granted with specific time periods.

The Board denied service connection for various knee disorders, a left foot disorder, high blood pressure, and a stomach condition. The Veteran's claims were not supported by the evidence of record.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral foot disability and a low back disability, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions began during or are related to service. Service connection was denied for right ear hearing loss.