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

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations have been denied. The Board found that the Veteran is already compensated for insomnia as a symptom of his PTSD, and there was no evidence of an earlier effective date for fibromyalgia or left knee patellofemoral syndrome. Service connection for photophobia, TBI, IBS, sleep apnea, migraine headaches, and GERD were not established based on the provided medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right-knee patellofemoral syndrome, bilateral Achilles tendonitis, and bilateral plantar fasciitis due to incomplete records and lack of in-service diagnosis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hypercholesterolemia/hyperlipidemia, a dental disability, plantar fasciitis, dizziness, mouth disability, eye disability, skin cancer, sebaceous cyst, thyroid disability, and kidney disability are all denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current disability for which service connection may be granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, to include PTSD and depression, has been reopened. The Board finds that new evidence received since the June 2007 rating decision is material and grants this aspect of the appeal. However, the claims for bilateral foot disability (claimed as frostbite) and right great toe disability are remanded due to insufficient development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypothyroidism, pes planus of the right foot, and a right foot or ankle disability other than pes planus have been reopened. The Board has granted these claims as new evidence received relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claims.,Service connection is now granted for pes planus of the right foot.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development, including a clarification of the nature and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has precluded him from securing and following any substantially gainful occupation since January 22, 2015. The Board granted a TDIU based on the PTSD disability. Additionally, the Veteran is entitled to SMC at the housebound rate due to his combined 100 percent schedular rating for service-connected disabilities.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for fibromyalgia, left and right hip bursitis, and plantar fasciitis. However, it has denied these claims as there is insufficient evidence to establish a link between the current disabilities and service.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD and depressive disorder, but denied service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome due to an undiagnosed illness related to Southwest Asia service. Service connection for pes planus was also denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted service connection.,The Veteran's claim for a bilateral foot disability has been dismissed as the issue is no longer in dispute due to an October 2015 rating decision granting service connection for tinea pedis of the bilateral feet (also claimed as jungle rot of the feet and legs).,The Veteran's claim for a bilateral knee disorder remains pending and will be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeals for left foot and right foot disabilities have been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a pulmonary disability has been denied.,The issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.,The issue of service connection for a low back disability is also remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development as the VA examination record from October 14, 2007 is missing.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for ichthyosis, pes planus, and achilles tendinitis as secondary to pes planus due to incomplete service treatment records. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and readjudication due to inadequate examinations in the previous rating decisions.

The Board granted service connection for a low back disorder, but denied earlier effective dates for bilateral pes planus and PTSD.,Service connection was established for a lumbar spine disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete verification of his periods of active duty with the Minnesota Army Reserve National Guard and lack of associated service treatment records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right foot conditions, specifically flatfoot and plantar fasciitis. The VA examiner did not adequately address whether these conditions are related to service or secondary to his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has reopened the claims of entitlement to service connection for left ear hearing loss and sleep apnea, but did not grant any other service connection claims. The Veteran's nephrolithiasis is currently rated at 30% under Diagnostic Code 7508.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as PTSD due to military sexual trauma is granted. The claims for service connection for plantar synovial cyst and bilateral knee disorder are remanded. The claim for service connection for abdominal injury is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for low back and bilateral knee disabilities, as well as for a painful right knee scar. Additional examinations are needed to determine the current severity of these conditions.