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

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU rating prior to May 6, 2014, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection of back and left foot disabilities, but has remanded the remaining issues due to lack of service treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right ankle disability and a left foot disability, to include as secondary to his right ankle disability. The issues are being returned to the RO for additional development.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for bilateral pes planus due to inadequate medical opinions based on a lack of in-service diagnosis or treatment records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for disc herniation, L5-S1 intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) and bilateral pes planus. The Board found no evidence of a chronic condition during service or an applicable presumption period that would support direct service connection.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome is granted as service-connected. The remaining issues (left ear hearing loss, bilateral foot disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability) are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection of various disabilities, including a left knee disability and its secondary effects on other joints and sleep condition, need further investigation. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and conduct examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine injury, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, left knee condition, right knee condition, left foot condition (to include pes planus, plantar spurs, and fasciitis), right foot condition (to include pes planus, plantar spurs, and fasciitis), cervical radiculopathy of the left upper extremity, bilateral sciatic neuropathy, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include anxiety and PTSD).

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea, hypertension, a left foot disability, PTSD, and MDD due to the need for further evidentiary development. Specifically, VA treatment records from before May 2007 at San Juan VAMC should be obtained, as well as any untranslated documents in Spanish.

The Board has granted service connection and assigned a noncompensable rating for the Veteran's bilateral knee arthralgia and chondromalacia, migraines, right great toe fracture, and denied service connection for hypothyroidism. The decision also remanded issues related to service connection for other conditions.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for a right shin disability and bilateral foot disability due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. Additional development is needed, including obtaining records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral foot disability and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Service connection was not granted for the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to evaluations in excess of 10 percent for right and left iliotibial band syndrome, hearing loss, TMJ disability, and service connection for a left foot, right foot, left ankle, left hand, low back, and left shoulder disabilities have all been dismissed.,A compensable evaluation for headaches has been granted from October 10, 2019.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral pes planus and new and material evidence for diabetes mellitus.,For the issue of initial rating for residuals of a fracture of the third toe of the left foot, the Veteran's claim is denied.

The Veteran's claims for various conditions and disabilities are being remanded due to the need for a hearing before the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ).

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral foot condition, finding that there was no evidence of aggravation during active service and concluding that his current foot disability is due to natural progression.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including back disability, right leg sciatica, left leg sciatica, hip disabilities, ankle and foot disabilities, respiratory issues, Hodgkin’s lymphoma, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and peripheral neuropathy have been denied as the evidence does not establish a link between these conditions and service.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claims of service connection for scars, post-operative, bilateral gynecomastia and bilateral pes planus. The Veteran's current chest disability is believed to be related to his in-service surgical treatment to correct his bilateral gynecomastia.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral pes planus was aggravated by his military service. The Veteran must provide updated treatment records and undergo a VA examination.