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

The Board denied the Veteran's requests to reopen his claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and a right foot disability due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus is denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.

The Board has denied service connection for pes planus, foot calluses, and lumbar spine disability. The case of bilateral eye disability is remanded.

The Board has determined that additional opinions and VA examinations are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including right foot, hip, low back, leg, shoulder, hand, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete VA examinations and a lack of proper notification regarding missed appointments. The case is being returned to obtain updated medical opinions and records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been found to meet the criteria for Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance, as he requires regular assistance due to his cognitive impairments and physical limitations. The Board has also determined that SMC T is not warranted given the Veteran's condition does not require higher level care.

The RO increased the ratings for several conditions and granted service connection, but denied the request to apply the bilateral factor. The Veteran's combined rating is now 90 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the timing and nature of his exposure to herbicides, as well as incomplete treatment records. The AOJ is instructed to verify proximity to Vietnam and obtain pertinent VA treatment records.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for additional development due to incomplete records and inadequate medical opinions.

The appeal is dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for chronic low back strain with degenerative changes has been dismissed.,With resolution of the doubt in favor of the Veteran, he is granted a 10 percent rating for bilateral pes planus from February 13, 2008 to April 15, 2015. The issue of TDIU was also remanded.

The Veteran's pes planus was noted at entry into service. The Board requires an addendum opinion to determine if the condition worsened during service and whether any increase in severity is due to its natural progress.

The Board has remanded several issues, including the rating for chronic headaches and service connection for various ankle and knee disabilities. The Veteran's claims are being returned to the AOJ for further examination and opinion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran failed to attend his scheduled VA examinations and has provided good cause for missing them. As such, new VA examinations are necessary to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a supplemental opinion regarding whether the Veteran's low back disability is secondary to his service-connected bunions, pes planus and plantar fasciitis.

The Veteran's right foot disability, including degenerative arthritis, metatarsalgia, pes planus, and calcaneal spur with plantar fasciitis, is rated at 30 percent since April 25, 2012.

The Board has remanded the claims for irregular heart beat and murmurs, hemorrhoids, bilateral flatfeet, and left foot arthritis with plantar fasciitis due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The claims are now pending before VA for further review.

The Veteran's left foot disability, which was previously rated at 10 percent, is now rated at 20 percent effective from the date of the decision.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral pes planus and a higher initial rating for acid reflux with cough, finding that the evidence did not support these claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for asthma, bilateral foot disability, and hypertension secondary to PTSD due to insufficient evidence on whether these conditions were aggravated by service.