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

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

The Veteran's claims of service connection for an undiagnosed illness, a left foot disability, and headaches are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions in the existing records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for plantar fasciitis, right foot and for initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for left hip limitation of extension due to femoral acetabular impingement syndrome and for left foot plantar fasciitis, bilateral flat feet, and left foot calcaneal plantar spur. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection or entitlement to higher ratings.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left and right foot disabilities, finding that his preexisting pes planus was aggravated by active service.

This decision grants service connection for tinnitus and a painful left-hand stab wound dorsum scar, but denies service connection for bilateral hearing loss, erectile dysfunction, and foot disabilities. The Veteran's right hip disability is remanded for further review under the theory of secondary service connection.,reasoning for denial of service connection for bilateral hearing loss: There is no evidence of current hearing loss disability as defined by VA regulations.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims to reopen his previously denied claims of entitlement to service connection for mild degenerative joint disease of the right ankle and foot with plantar fasciitis, mild degenerative joint disease of the left ankle and foot with plantar fasciitis, and bilateral hallux valgus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral flat foot disability, finding that there was no evidence of any chronic foot disorder during or after service and that the current condition is not related to service.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for bilateral pes planus prior to November 10, 2016, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter is being remanded due to the need for a new examination.

Service connection for erectile dysfunction, mood disorder, and sleep apnea is granted. Effective dates are set at April 12, 2016. Service connection for other conditions remains denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence regarding his claimed conditions and their relationship to service. The Veteran is required to provide additional medical opinions on the etiology of his diagnosed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD is dismissed. The Board also granted a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, low back and bilateral hip disability, neck disability, left foot disability, right foot disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder due to lack of evidence showing in-service incurrence or continuity of symptomatology. The case is remanded for further development.

The application to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability is denied.,Service connection for a lumbar spine disability is denied.,Service connection for a right knee disability is denied.,Service connection for a left knee disability is denied.,Service connection for bilateral pes planus is granted.,Service connection for plantar fasciitis is denied.,Service connection for COPD is denied.,Service connection for sleep apnea is denied.,Service connection for a libido condition, to include erectile dysfunction, is denied.,Service connection for a disability manifested by insomnia is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete medical records and potential need for VA examinations. The issues include neck condition, left knee condition, bilateral foot disability, allergic rhinitis, and seborrheic dermatitis.

The Board has dismissed all claims of service connection due to the Veteran's death during the appeal process.

The Veteran's abdominal aortic aneurysm is rated at 60 percent, effective April 25, 2019. The claim for TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's bilateral ankle/foot braces do not cause wear and tear to his clothing, as determined by the VAMC Chief of Prosthetics. Therefore, he is denied entitlement to clothing allowances for these braces.

The Veteran's claims for lower back disability, back disability, bilateral foot disability, varicocele, sleep apnea, urethritis, headache condition, and acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as secondary to service connected disabilities) have been dismissed due to the Veteran's requests to withdraw his appeals on these issues.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he has a master’s degree in educational administration and work experience as an Army instructor/teacher. The Board finds that the evidence is insufficient to show his physical impairments prevent him from performing sedentary work.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral foot disability, finding that his current heel pain was not incurred in or caused by military service. The pre-existing pes planus did not worsen beyond its natural progression during service.