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

The Board has decided that a remand is required to address the issue of service connection for a bilateral foot condition, which may be secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability. The April 2019 VA examiner did not consider the aggravation aspect of secondary service-connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various foot and knee conditions, as well as a low back disability. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are directly related to his military service.

The Veteran's pes planus/plantar fasciitis of the right and left feet were granted a 30 percent rating prior to July 29, 2020. The appeal for ratings in excess of 30 percent is denied.

The Board has denied service connection for various disabilities, including bilateral eye disability, heart disability, erectile dysfunction, prostate disability, urinary disability, lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, left hip disability, right hip disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, and left foot disability. The Board found that these disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU as his service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the TDIU claim due to additional development needed, including new VA examinations for bilateral pes planus and PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including headaches, right eye disability, and left foot disability, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation before September 14, 2015. The Board granted the TDIU claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right foot disabilities due to insufficient evidence of a direct relationship between his current conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for left ingrown toenail is denied as there was no indication of a prior formal or informal claim.,The Veteran's claim for an increase in the rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis is denied as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.,The Veteran's claim for an increase in the rating for bilateral ingrown toenails, great toes, is denied as his symptoms are more consistent with a moderate foot injury.

The Veteran's left foot disability is granted service connection. Service connection for PTSD, acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD), and stimulant use disorder are denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased disability evaluations were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection due to pre-existing bilateral pes planus, arthritis of the lumbar spine, residuals of a contusion of the left arm with nerve damage, degenerative joint disease of the left knee, right knee strain, stress reaction of the left ankle, and stress reaction of the right ankle.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding secondary service connection for left foot disability, specifically aggravation by a service-connected condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to conflicting diagnoses and a need for further medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's left foot disability, including heel spur and fibromatosis, is caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left foot disability, including plantar warts and/or calluses. The evidence does not support a finding that his current condition began during or is related to his military service.

The Veteran's right foot plantar fasciitis, status post 5th metatarsal fracture, is currently rated at 10 percent prior to October 31, 2019 and 10 percent thereafter.,The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome was granted a 30 percent rating effective from the date of his VA examination in October 31, 2019. A 10 percent rating is assigned for this condition prior to that date.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is granted as a congenital defect, and service connection for acquired bilateral foot disability (diagnosed as bilateral foot arthritis) is granted.,Service connection for left leg peripheral vascular disease claudication and right leg peripheral vascular disease claudication are also granted.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis and TBI residuals are not rated higher than the current assigned ratings.

The Veteran's deviated septum, OSA, right foot plantar fasciitis, and left foot plantar fasciitis are all granted as service-connected.,Service connection for atrial fibrillation is denied.

Your appeal has been dismissed because the Veteran passed away before a decision could be made.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and to obtain a new VA examination. The Veteran is seeking service connection for right knee and left foot disabilities.