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

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for bilateral foot disability and low back disability due to missing inpatient service treatment records (STRs) and complete service personnel records (SPRs). The Veteran was hospitalized at the emergency room of the Schweinfurt Army Health Clinic for injuries from an alleged in-service motor vehicle accident.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his service-connected conditions do not preclude all substantially gainful employment for which his education and occupational experience would otherwise qualify him.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis and right foot metatarsalgia with second MTP joint arthritis are rated at 50 percent since May 21, 2013. The effective date for the grant of service connection is May 21, 2013.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new evidence and medical opinions are needed regarding the relationship between his current disabilities and service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus and tarsal tunnel syndrome, including entitlement to increased ratings and effective dates. The case is being returned for further examination and adjudication.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his left ankle/foot disability, skin rash, and right eye condition. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a left ankle/foot disability, a skin rash, and a right eye condition are all being remanded.

The Board has determined that the VA examiners' opinions regarding the Veteran's bilateral pes planus, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and sleep disorder (OSA) are inadequate. Therefore, these claims must be remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination opinions. The Veteran's claim for service connection for right foot conditions, including pes planus and plantar fasciitis, is being reviewed again with new medical examinations.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral pes planus, pituitary tumors (claimed as tumors of the head and neck), and kidney stones due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.,Service connection was not granted for any of the conditions on a direct basis or based on presumptive service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is rated at 50% prior to January 23, 2020. Separate ratings of 10% are granted for hallux valgus of the right and left great toes with bunionettes from January 23, 2020. The Veteran's hammer toes are not entitled to separate compensable ratings.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus as there was no current diagnosis of this condition during the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the claim for a total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to insufficient evidence and potential worsening of service-connected disabilities. Additional development is needed, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for VA examinations.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain medical records from Dr. Monahan and a legible copy of the December 2018 correspondence from Dr. Drummond, before these claims can be adjudicated.

The Veteran's claims for compensable ratings for left and right foot scars, as well as higher ratings for his hallux valgus conditions and depressive disorder are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than February 22, 2005 for the grants of service connection for right and left foot plantar fasciitis with heel spurs disabilities are granted.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than February 22, 2005 for the grant of service connection for lumber spine degenerative disc disease is dismissed as withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a bilateral foot disability and stomach disability is being remanded due to inadequate VA examinations. The claims will be reviewed again with new medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for pes planus (flat feet) is denied as the current 30 percent rating adequately reflects his disability.,His hypertension does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus may be related to service, and a remand is needed to obtain missing service treatment records and provide an opinion on the etiology of the condition.

The Board dismissed all issues of appeal due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has granted service connection for the residuals of a left ankle injury, finding that it was aggravated by his service-connected right foot disability. However, the Board denied service connection for the right knee disability as there is no evidence linking it to his service-connected right foot disability.