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

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for DDD of the lumbar spine, migraine headaches, left thumb arthritis and bilateral plantar fasciitis are remanded due to her inability to attend recent VA examinations.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for service connection for various orthopedic and neurological disabilities, including right ankle, left ankle, right foot, left foot, low back, right leg, left leg, neck, and left upper extremity neurological disabilities. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated during active duty for training.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for shin splints, bilateral pes planus, osteoarthritis of the left knee, and initial compensable rating for history of kidney stones requiring stent placement due to lack of evidence of current disabilities or functional impairment.

The Veteran's request to reopen claims for service connection for various conditions, including back disability, bilateral foot disability, flat feet, arthritis of the feet, and bilateral hearing loss, has been granted. The appeals are remanded for further development on issues related to a bilateral knee disability.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for higher ratings for bilateral flat feet and FSHD of both shoulders, finding that the Veteran withdrew his appeals prior to the promulgation of a decision.

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating prior to August 27, 2019, and a TDIU were dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left foot, bilateral toe, low back, and neck disabilities. The reasons include that there was no evidence showing a direct relationship between his current conditions and his active duty service or service-connected right foot disability.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is granted as service-connected due to exposure to burn pits during service.,Service connection for the right foot disability (pes planus and degenerative joint disease) is granted as secondary to his service-connected left foot disability.,Service connection for a left shoulder disability, claimed as secondary to service-connected left ankle and/or left foot disabilities, is denied due to lack of evidence supporting such a link.,Service connection for a right leg disorder, claimed as secondary to service-connected left ankle disability, is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including sleep apnea, migraines, a neck disability, a pulmonary disability, bilateral knee disabilities, hernia, sciatic nerve disability, bilateral foot disabilities, frostbite, and hypertension. The claims are being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to the ratings for various service-connected disabilities and several other claims. The case is being remanded due to incomplete records and the need to obtain additional information regarding the Veteran’s ability to care for himself.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, bilateral foot disability, and bilateral lower limb disability due to lack of in-service incurrence or a nexus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted for various conditions, including hypertension, nasal disability, chronic epididymitis, psychomotor epilepsy, bilateral eustachian tube dysfunction, deviated nasal septum, bilateral hallux rigidus, Achilles tendonitis, and plantar fasciitis, anxiety disorder NOS, generalized anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, and adjustment disorder. The Veteran's claims for service connection have also been granted for right ankle strain, posterior tibial tendon dysfunction, arthritis, left ankle strain, posterior tibial tendon dysfunction, osteochondritis dissecans, and arthritis.

The Board has granted service connection for a right foot disability and reopened the claim to reopen for an acquired psychiatric disability. The claims of service connection for tinnitus and erectile dysfunction are denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus and left shoulder disability are denied as there is no evidence of a nexus to service. The right foot disability is granted as secondary to the service-connected left foot disability.

The Board denied service connection for right and left foot disabilities, finding no evidence of a link between the current conditions and military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the Veteran's failure to appear for a VA examination. The examiner will need to determine if her left foot disability is related to an in-service fall.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and pes planus. The evidence did not meet the criteria for hearing loss under VA regulations, and there was no nexus between the Veteran’s tinnitus and military noise exposure. The preexisting pes planus was also found to have not been aggravated by service.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to the Veteran not having a current diagnosis of hearing loss disability. The Board has also remanded the issue of service connection for left ankle and foot disability, requesting additional medical evidence.

The Veteran withdrew his claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus during a hearing.,Service connection for sleep apnea was denied as the evidence did not show it had its onset in service or is otherwise related to active service.,Service connection for hypertension was denied as there was no evidence of hypertension within one year after separation from service, and secondary service connection for hypertension due to sleep apnea could not be granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to inadequate development and examination, including for additional VA examinations.