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

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral foot disability due to incomplete development of in-service treatment records and an inadequate opinion regarding the etiology of his foot condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination regarding the Veteran's claimed foot disability, which is related to service exposure to wet conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have mesothelioma, flat feet, depression or any other mental disorder, or hypertension at any time during or after service. The claim for migraine headaches is remanded as it involves a complex medical matter.

The Board has restored the 20% disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected back disability effective May 1, 2017. The appeal remains pending for higher ratings for other conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings were denied. The left foot disability, prior to December 1, 2019 and since then, the left total hip replacement, and right elbow disability all remain at their current assigned ratings.

The Board has found that additional attempts must be made to locate and obtain missing military personnel and service treatment records from March 1995 until July 2000 in order to confirm whether the Veteran suffered his claimed injuries in the line of duty. The Board also notes that the Veteran did not appear for his VA examinations due to medical travel restrictions.

The Board has restored a 30 percent rating for bilateral pes planus from May 1, 2016 as the evidence did not show sustained improvement of the Veteran's disability.