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

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected back strain, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and bilateral plantar fasciitis due to a lack of a complete record. The VA is instructed to schedule the Veteran for examinations to determine the current severity of these disabilities.

The Board has ordered a medical opinion to determine if the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral pes planus increased in disability during service and, if so, whether it was due to natural progression.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection and increased rating for PTSD is remanded due to inadequate examination reports. The issues are being returned for further development, including obtaining medical records from the Veteran's private treatment facility.

The Veteran's headaches are rated at 30 percent prior to January 25, 2014 and 50 percent thereafter. Effective June 10, 2010, the Veteran is granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, but has found that additional development is needed due to the complexity of the issues and potential overlap between some of them.

Your appeal for service connection for a bilateral foot disability, including plantar fasciitis, pes planus, and metatarsalgia, has been dismissed as you have withdrawn your appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus, finding that there was no evidence to support the aggravation of a pre-existing condition during service.

The Veteran's appeal for his son D.A. as a 'helpless child' on the basis of permanent incapacity for self-support prior to attaining age 18 is dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left and right foot conditions, including pes planus, did not begin during service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease. The preponderance of evidence is against finding a connection between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right foot, bilateral wrist, bilateral ankle, and bilateral hand disabilities due to outstanding VA treatment records and a need for additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including a left ischium fracture and associated psychiatric disorder, right patellofemoral syndrome, left thigh strain, right pes planus and plantar fasciitis, varicose veins, lumbar spine disability, left knee disability, and left foot disability, have been found to meet the criteria for a combined rating of 60 percent. As such, he is granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is manifested by pain, swelling, and calluses in both feet. The Board has granted an initial rating of 30 percent for this condition.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of June 23, 2011 for the award of service connection for tinnitus. The issues of GERD, left thigh and foot disabilities, IBS, and ED are remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed as the Veteran's representative withdrew all issues on appeal in a September 2020 correspondence.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before a decision on the merits may be made regarding the Veteran's claims for service connection for right foot disability, bilateral shin splints, and bilateral foot skin disease. The VA must assist in obtaining complete service treatment records and private medical records.

The Board has denied service connection for right ear hearing loss and left ear hearing loss due to lack of a current diagnosis. The Veteran's flat feet are remanded as the VA examiner did not adequately address whether they were aggravated by service.,The Board has denied entitlement to a compensable disability rating for left ear hearing loss. The Veteran's flat feet are remanded as the VA examiner did not provide an opinion on their etiology.,The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for flat feet, right knee condition (secondary to service-connected left knee condition), back condition, and right shoulder condition. The right middle finger laceration residual claim is also remanded.,The VA examiner was asked to determine if the Veteran's right knee condition is secondary to his service-connected left knee condition. The examiner must provide an opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not that any currently diagnosed back, right shoulder and right shoulder scar disabilities are related to in-service injuries.,The VA examiner was asked to determine if the Veteran's right middle finger laceration residual is related to an in-service injury, event or disease. The examiner must provide an opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not that any currently diagnosed back, right shoulder and right shoulder scar disabilities are related to in-service injuries.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as her right foot disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to July 24, 2015 and from that date onwards. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increased rating due to lack of severe unilateral acquired flatfoot or other specific findings warranting such a rating.

The appeal for entitlement to service connection for a left shoulder disability is dismissed.,Issues of entitlement to service connection for a left ankle/foot disability, right ankle disability, and right knee disability are remanded.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including back disability, bilateral leg disabilities, right foot and ankle disabilities, right elbow and wrist disabilities, left rib fracture, neck disability, scalp laceration, and migraine headaches. The claims are being remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's right foot disability, including hammertoes, is rated at 20 percent prior to April 7, 2016, and higher than 20 percent as of April 7, 2016. The appeal is remanded due to the need for further development.