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

The Veteran's left knee disability was restored to a 20 percent rating from November 1, 2020. The Board found the reduction of his left knee disability rating to 10 percent in September 2017 was not properly made and granted restoration.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for leg muscle cramps, which is secondary to his service-connected bilateral pes planus and degenerative joint disease of the feet, must be remanded due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's reported muscle cramps.

The Board has remanded the claims for missing private treatment records and a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any diagnosed sleep disorder, including insomnia. The remaining issues on appeal will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's arthritis of the lumbar spine was found to have manifested within a year of his final period of active duty, and service connection is granted. The claims for PTSD, major depressive disorder, diverticulitis, right kidney cyst, GERD, right foot disability, and left foot disability are remanded.

The Board has remanded two issues: 1) the Veteran's claim for a higher rating for lumbar spondylosis L5 with spondylolisthesis at L5-S1, and 2) his claim for a higher rating for bilateral flat feet and posterior calcaneal spurs. The reasons provided by the Board were inadequate as they did not address whether the Veteran had any functional loss due to intermittent pain or if he experienced flare-ups.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus, finding that there is clear and unmistakable evidence that the condition pre-existed service and was not aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for his service-connected bilateral pes planus was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating greater than 10 percent prior to July 14, 2017, and in excess of 30 percent thereafter.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began in service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for syphilis and arthritis are reopened, but the Board has remanded the remaining issues due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for a sinus disability, bilateral knee disability, and bilateral foot disability. However, the Board denied service connection for a thyroid disability as there is no evidence of any endocrine disorder in service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral knee disability, polymyalgia rheumatica, osteopenia, and bilateral plantar fasciitis due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.,Service connection was not granted as the Veteran's STRs were silent for any complaints or diagnoses related to these conditions.

The Veteran's knee and lumbar spine disabilities are being remanded for additional examinations to assess their current severity.,An effective date earlier than March 3, 2015 is denied for the increased ratings of bilateral foot disability and cervical spine disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding service connection and aggravation of bilateral pes planus and degenerative arthritis of the feet by service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a bilateral foot disability has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including right shoulder disability, left ankle and ankle disabilities, left foot and right foot disabilities, low back disability, and right elbow disability. The claim for status post left salpingectomy with scars was also denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings have been granted, with a 10% rating assigned for each condition. The effective date is not specified.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis is granted as service connected. The rating for IVDS remains remanded, and the eye disorder claim is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's pes planus. The initial rating for right great toe disability remains at 10 percent, while TDIU is also being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral foot disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting TDIU for the entire period on appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding her bilateral foot disorder and hysterectomy.