Foot (incl. plantar fasciitis, flat feet) decisions — 2020

Service connection for a psychiatric disability has been granted.,Service connection for low back, radiculopathy of the right leg, and radiculopathy of the left leg disabilities have not been established.

The Veteran's flatfoot (pes planus) and migraine, including migraine variants (claimed as tension headaches), are found to be related to his service. The remaining claims for service connection have been remanded.,Service connection is granted for flatfoot (pes planus) and migraine, including migraine variants (claimed as tension headaches).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine, right lower extremity neurological impairment, and left foot disabilities due to deficiencies in the June 2019 VA examinations. The issues include rating determinations for these conditions prior to specific dates and in excess of certain percentages.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for a rating in excess of 10 percent for right and left knee disabilities, as well as the appeal for a higher rating for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis during the specified period. The Veteran's request to withdraw these appeals is considered.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since May 8, 2017. A TDIU is granted effective from that date. The right knee disability and OSA are both remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis is granted. The Veteran's service-connected irritable bowel syndrome with GERD and hiatal hernia is granted a 30% disability rating effective October 26, 2018.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hip disability, left shoulder disability, low back disability, and bilateral flat feet due to incomplete service treatment records and inadequate VA examination opinions.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a bilateral foot disorder, claimed as plantar fasciitis, is granted. The Board also remanded the issue of increased rating for hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for an additional big toe, right foot disability due to July 2011 right foot surgery because there was no evidence of VA negligence or fault in the procedure.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to address her right foot disability, including surgical scars and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity. The issues of entitlement to increased ratings for her neck disability and TDIU are also remanded.

The Veteran's rating for bilateral pes planus with arthritis was restored to 50 percent, effective January 1, 2019. The decision found no clear and unmistakable error in the reduction from 50 percent to 30 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a currently diagnosed eye disability or persistent/recurrent symptoms of such a disability.,The Board also found that the Veteran does not have a currently diagnosed bilateral foot disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right foot, left foot, and lower back disabilities due to insufficient evidence. The issues of service connection for a right knee and left knee disabilities are also inextricably intertwined with the claim for a lower back disability.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further examination and evaluation due to new allegations of worsening symptoms by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for new VA examinations, as well as additional medical opinions regarding secondary service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral plantar fasciitis and major depressive disorder have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for either condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence on whether the Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus contributed substantially or materially to his death by causing obesity, which in turn caused his ventricular arrhythmia and cardiac arrhythmia.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was aggravated by service, and his digestive system conditions were not shown to be related to service in the Persian Gulf.

The Board has found that further development is required before the Veteran's remaining claims are decided, including determining whether his August 21, 2010 motor vehicle accident occurred during a period of active service and scheduling VA examinations to address the etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including new VA examinations.