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

The Veteran's increased rating claim for his service-connected bilateral foot pes planus with arthritis was denied. A separate 10 percent rating was granted for his bilateral metatarsalgia of both feet, effective from April 8, 2013.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral foot pes planus was aggravated by service. The Veteran will need a new VA examination and an addendum opinion considering his August 1996 separation examination and his August 20, 2020 statement.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of hypertrophy of tonsils, diagnosed as chronic laryngitis. However, the claim for first degree pes planus remains denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis and right hallux rigidus, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions had their onset during active service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection, including for fibromyalgia, MDD, diabetes mellitus and its related peripheral neuropathies, GERD, OSA, and a foot disorder. The claims are not currently resolved.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unemployable, and the Board granted his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's right and left ankle conditions, including pain, medical treatment, corresponding functional impairment and flare-ups, are rated at 20 percent. Service connection for pes planus is granted. The Veteran's claims for big toe joint pain and swelling on feet, PTSD, and left wrist condition are dismissed.

The Board has granted service connection for chest pain as secondary to a service-connected thoracic spine disability. The other issues on appeal are remanded.

The Veteran's right knee degenerative arthritis is granted as service-connected.,From October 31, 2011 to July 2, 2018, the Veteran received a 30 percent rating for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis. From July 2, 2018 onwards, he was granted a 50 percent rating.,The Veteran's request for an increased rating beyond 50 percent for bilateral pes planus from January 2, 2020 is denied.

The Veteran's clothing allowance application for the year 2014 was denied because he did not wear a rigid brace or orthotic that tended to tear his clothes, as required by VA regulations.

The Veteran's appeals for ratings related to bilateral plantar fasciitis, pes planus, and right foot hallux valgus have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing her appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep disorder, left knee condition, and right foot condition. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the left knee and right foot conditions.,Service connection was not granted for obstructive sleep apnea as there is no evidence of a nexus between the current diagnosis and active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to perform activities of daily living without assistance, including bathing and dressing. The Board finds that he is in need of regular aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left foot and left hip disabilities. The claims are not granted as service connection is not established for gastrointestinal disability, left foot disability, or left hip disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction, bilateral shoulder disorder, bilateral hip disorder, bilateral wrist/arm disorder, bilateral ankle disorder, and cervical spine disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.,Additional development is needed for the Veteran's claim regarding bilateral pes planus.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral foot condition, including pes planus and plantar fasciitis. The evidence does not support a finding that either condition was caused or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's pre-existing congenital bilateral accessory navicular bones (claimed as flat feet) were aggravated by her active service, and the Board has granted service connection for this aggravation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of plantar fasciitis of the left foot is granted. The Veteran's cervical spine strain with degenerative arthritis and IVDS is rated at 30 percent beginning on February 16, 2018.

The Veteran's service connection claims for pes planus, right-foot disorder, left-foot disorder, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and migraine headaches have all been denied. The Board found that the pre-existing conditions were not aggravated by active service.

The Board has decided that the effective date for the increased rating of 30 percent for bilateral plantar fasciitis with pes planus should be prior to June 23, 2016. However, due to a lack of relevant VA treatment records from October 2015 to June 2016, the case is being remanded to obtain these records.