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

The Board has determined that an addendum medical opinion is needed to address the Veteran's right foot conditions and their relationship to service, as well as any aggravation of pre-existing conditions. The case will be remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for right foot, left foot, and back disabilities before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, allergic conjunctivitis secondary to service-connected allergic rhinitis, and hoarseness secondary to service-connected allergic rhinitis. Additionally, the Board has granted an initial rating of 20 percent prior to June 27, 2019, for myofascial pain syndrome of the thoracolumbar spine.,The claimant's disability was found to have manifested with symptoms such as muscle spasm and abnormal spinal curvature during his period of active duty service. The Board has also granted a rating greater than 40 percent from June 27, 2019.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral pes planus was aggravated by his military service and/or worsened by his service-connected right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating determinations related to his knee disabilities, plantar fasciitis, radiculopathy, and lumbar spine degenerative disk disease due to insufficient evidence or need for updated examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for chronic lumbar strain, right knee patellofemoral syndrome, left knee patellofemoral syndrome, mechanical dyspepsia, and testicular torsion with residual orchialgia were denied. The Veteran was granted a separate rating of 20 percent for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity.,The Veteran's chronic lumbar strain is rated at 40 percent due to flexion limited to 30 degrees or less, without ankylosis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right foot disability and left foot disability, finding that his preexisting pes planus did not worsen during service and that his plantar fasciitis was not related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus, finding that the condition existed prior to his entry into active duty and was not aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral foot disability, and lumbar spine disability due to insufficient examination reports. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions, with some related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded three of the Veteran's claims: a higher rating for degenerative disc and joint disease with spondylosis, foramina stenosis; a higher rating for bilateral plantar keratoma; and entitlement to TDIU. The remaining claim for a higher rating for testis removal is also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right plantar fasciitis and the left upper torso and lower extremity posttraumatic neuralgia have been granted. The claim of service connection for hypertension is remanded due to its inextricability with the loss of sense of taste claim, which also remains remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral foot disabilities, finding that there was no evidence to support a direct or secondary relationship between his current conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous directives and a need for clarification regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral flat feet.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his back, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left knee, and right knee disabilities have been denied. His claim for a higher rating for his bilateral foot disability prior to October 27, 2016 has also been denied.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's hip, knee, and foot disorders. The claims for service connection are inextricably intertwined with the low back disorder claim. The initial compensable rating for right shin splints is also being remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right foot, left foot, right ankle, and left ankle disabilities. The claim for back disability was also denied as there is no current diagnosis of a back disability related to active service.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's foot disabilities, specifically pes planus.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's left foot disability, and a new VA examination is needed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for pes planus is granted. The Board has also remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral foot disability other than pes planus due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and to obtain additional medical records, including SSA disability records and VA treatment records. The issues of service connection for bilateral foot disability, sleep apnea (including as secondary to PTSD with major depressive disorder), hemorrhoids, and tinnitus are all being remanded.