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

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's previously denied claims of service connection for various disabilities, including thoracolumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, pelvic disability, bilateral knee disability, left arm disability, and left foot disability. The claims are now remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the appeal must be remanded due to incomplete records and non-compliance with prior remand directives. The Veteran's service dates are still unclear, particularly regarding periods of ACDUTRA and INACDUTRA.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to evaluate the Veteran's current employment handicap and whether self-employment is the only feasible option for him given his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,The Veteran is also seeking service connection for a left shoulder disability, which remains in dispute.

The Veteran is eligible for a TDIU on a schedular basis as of August 3, 2018, and the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether his service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following gainful employment as of that date.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for bilateral foot disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, and left ankle disability due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for an increased rating for bilateral plantar calluses and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The appeals for service connection and increased ratings have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for bilateral pes planus has been denied, and his TDIU claim due to service-connected disabilities is also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been granted, with effective dates set at April 13, 2016. The Veteran is still denied a higher rating for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral pes planus has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claim. The Board also remanded the claims of service connection for seasonal allergic rhinitis and sinusitis congestion, to include as due to radiation exposure and herbicide exposure.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral foot disability, finding no evidence linking the condition to service or service-connected conditions. The claim for an initial rating of 10 percent for degenerative joint disease of the left knee was also denied.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of the Veteran's low back condition, bilateral plantar fasciitis, bilateral foot neuroma, and bilateral bunions as she withdrew her appeals on record.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim for entitlement to service connection for a psychiatric disorder is granted. The Veteran’s service-connected disabilities are remanded for further examination and rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to issues with the left foot disability, including whether it was aggravated by service and if so, whether it is related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for elective amputation of the left fifth toe, finding that there is no evidence linking this condition to his service-connected disabilities or showing it was aggravated by them. The Board also found insufficient medical evidence to support a secondary service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to July 31, 2015, for a 30 percent evaluation for bilateral pes planus because it was not factually ascertainable that the increase in disability first manifested within one year prior to the date of his claim.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and bilateral metatarsalgia (claimed as bilateral pes planus). The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.,The Veteran's current hearing loss in both ears was not confirmed by the VA examiner, and a new opinion must be obtained addressing these concerns.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and bilateral pes planus is remanded due to the need for additional medical examination. The decision on compensable ratings for diabetes mellitus remains denied.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent effective July 23, 2019. The initial ratings for hypertension and bilateral foot disabilities remain unchanged.