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

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to inconsistencies in the medical evidence and the need for further examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of STRs and the need for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling an examination.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral spine strain, left foot disability, and left ear hearing loss are all rated at the lowest possible level (10%) due to their current severity.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus, left knee condition, right knee condition, heart condition, and hypertension due to unresolved issues regarding their onset during active duty.

The Board has granted an extraschedular rating of 20 percent for bilateral pes planus disabilities, but the case is remanded to obtain a VA opinion regarding whether the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability is aggravated by his service-connected pes planus.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral pes planus, and shoulder disabilities were denied. The claim for a back disability was not addressed as it is considered part of the service-connected fibromyalgia.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including erectile dysfunction as secondary to PTSD and hearing loss, have been remanded due to the need for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for an opinion regarding the Veteran's left foot, as well as obtaining additional treatment records and radiology reports. The issue of service connection for a bilateral foot disability remains on appeal.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis and calcaneal spurs is currently rated as 30 percent disabling from June 1, 2010 to February 10, 2017.,From February 10, 2017 onward, the Veteran's disability remains at a 30 percent rating.

All increased rating and earlier effective date claims have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination and the need for additional medical records. The Veteran's right foot disability, specifically hallux valgus, needs further evaluation.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral pes planus, finding that the increase in disability was due to the natural progression of the disease and not aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for right foot pes planus, hypertension, and right and left hip disorders are granted. The claim for sleep apnea is remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various disabilities, including shoulder, right wrist, bilateral knee, shin splints, ankle, foot (pes planus), bronchitis, onychomycosis, and hearing loss have been dismissed. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for lumbar spine disability, headache disability, and PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea, migraines, and hypertension. The Veteran's left knee, left ankle, and left foot disabilities were remanded due to lack of evidence in the record. Service connection for tinnitus was also remanded as there is no clear and unmistakable evidence that it is related to service.,The Veteran's depression disorder claim had an effective date denied because he did not file a timely appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD and left foot disability are being remanded for further development.,The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 100 percent prior to February 5, 2016. The issue of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD prior to that date is being remanded. For the period prior to September 26, 2019, the Veteran's left foot disability is rated at 20 percent. The issue of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for a left foot disability prior to September 26, 2019, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter is being remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis and a low back disability, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left foot disability, right foot disability, and residuals of left medial meniscal injury were granted. The claim for service connection for insomnia was denied as it is considered a symptom of the Veteran's service-connected PTSD. Service connection for renal dysfunction was denied due to lack of evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for a respiratory condition, but denied service connection for lymphadenopathy and bilateral pes planus. The decision is based on the evidence showing current diagnoses of these conditions and their relationship to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with effective date of July 1, 2020. The conditions were found to be related to his active duty service.