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

The Veteran's claim for a headache disorder was denied as there is no evidence of a distinct and separate condition from sinusitis.,From September 9, 2005, to February 3, 2008, the Veteran's asthma associated with sinusitis did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various foot, knee, and hip conditions that are secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right ankle fracture. The claims will be reviewed again with new medical opinions considering the Veteran's lay statements.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with anxiety has been granted a disability rating of 70 percent, effective from the date of claim to the present.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for a 20% evaluation for service-connected left foot pes planus with plantar fasciitis and bunion was denied.,The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for a 60% evaluation for service-connected hypertension was denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for intervertebral disc syndrome of the cervical spine and Muscle Group XVIII, claimed as pelvic rotation associated with soft tissue lacerations right foot and heel with residual pes planus are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess the severity of his disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for right ankle/foot disability, bilateral knee osteoarthritis, type II diabetes mellitus (DM), and bilateral eye disabilities due to inextricably intertwined issues with the predicate issue of entitlement to service connection for right ankle/foot disability. The TDIU claim is also deferred.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee DJD, left knee DJD, lumbar spine DDD, and right plantar fasciitis have been granted. The evidence submitted since the May 1995 rating decision is considered new and material as it relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate these conditions.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder is rated at 40 percent, and he was granted separate ratings for LLE and RLE radiculopathy prior to May 8, 2017. The Board also found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities precluded substantial gainful employment, leading to a grant of TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea has been reopened and granted. His current disability is related to his in-service broken nose and weight gain. The rating assigned for the right shoulder, left shoulder, and right knee disabilities are remanded due to lack of adequate examination addressing flare-ups.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to an inadequate examination regarding the severity of the Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis with pes planus prior to April 14, 2012.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hypertensive retinopathy, bilateral pes planus, left and right foot hallux valgus, left and right knee disorders, and bilateral metatarsalgia were denied as there was no communication prior to the dates of receipt that could be construed as a formal or informal claim.,The effective date assigned for each condition is the date of receipt of the claim, which is either October 3, 2011 (for hypertensive retinopathy and pes planus) or July 27, 2011 (for hallux valgus and knee disorders).,The Veteran's claims for service connection were not granted as secondary to his service-connected hypertension.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his disabilities due to insufficient reasons and basis in the previous decisions, including failing to address the competency of VA examiners and the Veteran's medical training. The issues are now being returned for further development.

The Veteran's death in May 2014 was not related to a service-connected disability. The Board denied both the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death and the claim for dependency and indemnity compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1318.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of service connection for pes planus, finding that further development is required due to inadequacies in a previous VA examination. The Veteran will be provided with another opportunity to provide additional evidence and undergo a new VA examination.

The Veteran's current bilateral foot disabilities, including hallux valgus, pes cavus, and hammertoes, are being remanded for further evaluation due to the lack of consideration of his reports of symptoms in service.

The Board has granted service connection for back disorder, right ankle disorder, radiculopathy in the right leg as secondary to back disorder, and bilateral pes planus (flat feet) as secondary to an ankle disorder. The left leg radiculopathy was denied due to lack of a current diagnosis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left ankle strains, cervical spine strain, degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, and bilateral pes planus have been denied as there is no clear and unmistakable evidence that these conditions began during service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral ankle disability and granted service connection for bilateral pes planus. Service connection for tinnitus was granted but the decision is mixed as some issues were granted while others were not.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased rating have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of all remaining issues in the January 2018 Statement of the Case.