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

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for poliomyelitis, right foot disability (excluding residuals of poliomyelitis), and right hip disability. The TDIU claim is also being remanded due to incomplete development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease at L5-S1, right foot plantar fasciitis, and left foot plantar fasciitis due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral foot-fungus as secondary to his service-connected left-foot plantar warts and denied an increased disability evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his left-foot plantar warts. The evidence did not support a finding that the foot fungus was proximately due to or caused by the service-connected plantar warts.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee, hip, and foot disabilities due to a lack of medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for wrist, foot, and ankle disabilities secondary to bilateral knee disabilities due to insufficient opinions regarding causation or aggravation.

The Board has decided to remand the case for a new examination and referral to the Director of Compensation Service due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus has been granted, and he is now rated at 60 percent for diabetes mellitus. The decision also includes a finding of aggravation during combat service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete development and need for additional medical opinions. The claims will be further delayed as a result.

The Board has remanded the cases of bilateral pes planus, hypertension, and TDIU prior to August 16, 2010 for further development. The Veteran's service connection claims for these conditions are now pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for flat feet and a skin disorder of the back and stomach due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including those for osteoarthritis of multiple joints (including bilateral ankles), spina bifida occulta, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability (secondary to a service-connected foot disability), hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and cognitive disability (short-term memory loss).

The Veteran's claims for increased initial ratings for bilateral pes planus and entitlement to a TDIU are remanded due to incomplete records and the need for an adequate examination.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disability is granted. For the period on appeal prior to September 16, 2016, his bilateral pes planus was granted a 30% rating; from September 16, 2016 to January 28, 2018, he received a separate 30% rating. Beginning January 29, 2018, the Veteran's claim for increased ratings remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher initial rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative joint disease of the bilateral great toes was denied. The Board found that there is no evidence of x-ray evidence of involvement of two or more major joints or two or more minor joint groups with occasional incapacitating exacerbations, as required for a 20 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 5003.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for further development.,Specifically, the right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome claim is being returned to the RO for additional consideration.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for various disabilities, including cervical spine disability, back disability, bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral hip disability, bilateral knee disability, bilateral ankle disability, bilateral foot disability, rhinitis, bronchitis, asthma, heart disability, prostate cancer, and urinary incontinence. The reasons are that the Veteran failed to report to scheduled VA examinations for these disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a bilateral foot condition as there is insufficient evidence regarding whether his conditions pre-existed service and if they were aggravated by service.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disability is granted as service-connected. The Veteran's gout, left shoulder disability, right knee disability, left wrist disability, and athlete’s foot are denied.,A new VA examination is required to determine the nature and etiology of any currently present right wrist, left knee, and low back disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis and right knee DJD have been granted increased ratings, with the lumbar spine disorder also being granted service connection on a secondary basis.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a bilateral foot disability has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.