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

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection of his bilateral foot disability, and denied his claims for service connection of his bilateral shoulder, hand and finger, neck, left elbow, and knee disabilities. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for a sleep disturbance/insomnia.

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral pes planus and service connection for hypertension, a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, cervical spine disorders, lumbar spine disorders, eye disorders, ingrown toenails, and skin disorders are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,Service connection is being remanded for hypertension as secondary to diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD is also being remanded.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine disorders, lumbar spine disorders, eye disorders, ingrown toenails, and skin disorders are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,Service connection is being remanded for bilateral pes planus. The Veteran's claim for hypertension as secondary to diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease remains on appeal.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine disorders, lumbar spine disorders, eye disorders, ingrown toenails, and skin disorders are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,Service connection is being remanded for hypertension as secondary to diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD remains on appeal.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine disorders, lumbar spine disorders, eye disorders, ingrown toenails, and skin disorders are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,Service connection is being remanded for bilateral pes planus. The Veteran's claim for hypertension as secondary to diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease remains on appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate nexus opinion regarding whether the Veteran's right foot disorder, including pes planus, hammer toes and degenerative arthritis, is caused or aggravated by his service-connected left foot callosities.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus disability is being remanded for further evaluation and evidence collection.

The Board has denied an increased rating for sinusitis and remanded the issues of service connection for left foot disability and initial compensable rating for right foot disability. The Veteran's claims are now pending with the RO.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a left foot disability, an initial rating higher than 10 percent for his left knee disability, and service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to potential worsening evidence and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for updated VA treatment records and an examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis.

The Veteran's initial 10 percent rating for left carpal tunnel syndrome prior to February 26, 2010, is granted. A higher rating is denied from that date forward. The Veteran's bilateral pes planus remains at a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's left elbow fracture residuals are rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that he does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to functional loss and pain.,Service connection is granted for pes planus as it began during active service and was aggravated beyond its natural progression.,Service connection is denied for glaucoma as there is no evidence of visual impairment or incapacitating episodes related to the in-service eye trauma.,New and material evidence has been received, reopening the claim for service connection for pulmonary hypertension. The Veteran's claim will be remanded for further review.,The right corneal scar does not cause any visual impairment or incapacitating episodes, thus no increased rating is warranted.

The Board has denied service connection for residuals from a chest wall contusion and remanded the issues of bilateral foot disability and left knee degenerative joint disease. The decision is binding only with respect to these specific matters.

The Veteran's blackout spells, left hand disability, chronic bronchitis, and tinnitus are not service-connected as there is no evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.,For the bilateral foot disability (pes planus, left foot fibroma and hallux valgus), another VA examination is needed due to inadequate previous examination.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, finding that the Veteran's condition is at least as likely as not related to his active duty military service due to ill-fitting boots he was given upon entry into basic training.

The Board has determined that there was not substantial compliance with its November 2019 remand and, therefore, it may not proceed with a determination on the merits at this time. The Veteran's right and left foot disabilities are being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence and need for further development.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral foot disability, finding that the preponderance of evidence did not support a link between current symptoms and service.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, and remanded the issues of increased rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae and service connection for bilateral foot disability.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for bilateral pes planus was denied from August 4, 2009 to April 22, 2019.,The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for bilateral pes planus was denied from April 22, 2019 to August 12, 2019.,The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for bilateral pes planus since August 12, 2019 remains in appellate status as the higher initial ratings did not constitute a full grant of the benefits sought.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis and bilateral pes planus with residuals of a left big toe fracture have been granted service connection, with the latter condition receiving a 50% disability rating.

The Board has granted service connection for a neck disability, left arm disability, and acquired psychiatric disability (to include depression). The Veteran's TBI claim was denied. Headache and bilateral foot disabilities are remanded.,Service connection is granted for the following conditions: Neck Disability, Left Arm Disability, Acquired Psychiatric Disability (to include Depression), and Headaches.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient VA medical opinions regarding the Veteran's bilateral foot disability and low back disability. The claims are inextricably intertwined, so both must be addressed together.