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

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on loss of use of both feet due to service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis and fibromyalgia with chondromalacia of the knees, resolving all doubt in her favor.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities necessitate the need for regular aid and attendance of another person due to his limited mobility, standing endurance, risk of falling, and difficulty with dressing and bathing.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis, left tarsal tunnel syndrome, and status post left foot fracture healed with plantar calcaneal spur have been granted a 50% rating. The Veteran has also been awarded TDIU based on her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right shoulder, left shoulder, left knee, and left foot disabilities due to a Joint Motion for Partial Remand (JMPR) filed by the parties. The appellant contends her current disabilities are related to military physical training over time.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's service connection claims for his bilateral hip, low back, left shoulder, and bilateral foot disabilities due to incomplete development of records and inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim for service connection for a right foot condition was denied. The Board has ordered remand for further development regarding the left foot plantar fasciitis.

The Board has determined that there was not substantial compliance with the prior remand directives and has therefore remanded the claims for lumbar spine, left knee, and left ankle/foot disabilities due to military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and anxiety, is remanded due to conflicting medical opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic foot condition, pes planus, hammer toes, hallux valgus, and plantar fasciitis. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during active service or were related to an in-service injury.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary to address the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to his service-connected foot disabilities, specifically bilateral pes planus. The Veteran was previously granted a TDIU effective September 26, 2011, but the issue of TDIU prior to this date remains before the Board.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various foot and ankle conditions due to incomplete records and a need for an addendum opinion regarding the ankle.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbar spine disorder, left foot disorder, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to inadequate medical opinions based solely on the absence of in-service treatment or findings.

The Veteran's right foot disability, hip disability, and lumbar spine disability are all found to be service-connected.,Secondary service connection is granted for the Veteran’s lumbar spine disability as it is proximately due to his right foot and/or right hip disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis, which is currently diagnosed. The Veteran and her husband have provided testimony describing the onset of relevant symptoms during active service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for left ankle and right shoulder disabilities have been dismissed. The claims of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim of service connection for chest pains, service connection for acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD), bilateral hearing loss, color blindness, flat feet, and neck disability are all remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for flat feet and toe disability due to a lack of current disabilities. The claims for PTSD, right shin disability, left shin disability, low back disability, right ankle disability, and left ankle disability are remanded as there is evidence suggesting in-service injury or symptoms.,The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for thyroid, to include hypothyroidism and scars status-post thyroidectomy due to a lack of current disabilities. The claim for this condition is also remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased evaluation of scars, service connection for neck disability, bilateral foot disability, and bilateral ankle disabilities due to incomplete information in the record.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis with achilles tendonitis is denied. A separate compensable evaluation of 10 percent for bilateral pes cavus from October 12, 2005 and a noncompensable evaluation for hallux valgus of the right foot from February 18, 2011 are granted.

The Veteran's claims for various conditions and disabilities have been denied. The Board has not assigned a maximum disability rating, which remains before the Board.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disability was granted a 50 percent rating effective July 1, 2019. Prior to that date, the disability was rated at 10 percent.