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

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus, finding that the preexisting condition clearly and unmistakably did not increase in severity during or as a result of active duty service.

The Board has remanded the claims for a bilateral hearing loss disability, left hip and left foot disabilities due to the appellant's election to have the appeal processed by the Decision Review Officer.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral pes planus and dismissed the claim of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for bilateral pes planus and residuals of a right ring finger laceration have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has remanded the claims for migraines, GI disability, and bilateral foot disability due to insufficient nexus opinions and missing VA medical records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are granted. The Board has remanded the case to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's initial claim of service connection for right foot disability, including metatarsalgia, was denied. The Board also found that the Veteran does not meet criteria for a higher rating for her plantar fasciitis prior to April 3, 2015 and from that date up to October 30, 2009. A separate 10 percent rating is granted for metatarsalgia as of October 30, 2009.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a bilateral ankle condition is dismissed as moot due to the grant of service connection for posterior tibial tendonitis. The claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (anxiety disorder) is denied, and the claim for increased rating for pes planus with bilateral fasciitis and hammertoes is also denied.

The Board denied service connection for left and right knee disabilities, back disability, and bilateral foot disability. The Veteran's claims were based on his contention that these conditions are related to his active military service.,The VA examiner found no evidence of a pre-existing condition in the Veteran’s knees or back during service, and concluded that any current conditions are not due to or caused by his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise that these conditions are related to service. The Veteran's current disabilities were not noted upon entrance into service but developed during service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and ankle conditions have been remanded for further evaluation due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's preexisting pes planus was aggravated by service, and therefore granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, left foot plantar fasciitis and heel spur, and gastroesophageal reflux disease are not rated higher than the current evaluations of 60%, 10%, and 10% respectively.

The Board has decided to remand several issues, including the Veteran's claims for service connection for his bilateral thigh disability as secondary to his service-connected back disability and for increased ratings of various disabilities. The decision also includes a request for additional VA examinations and an updated VA Form 21-8940.

The Veteran's right and left foot disabilities are granted as service-connected. The Board also found that the Veteran's sleep apnea and insomnia may be related to service, but a remand is needed for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD has been reopened, and the Board finds that new and material evidence has been received to support these claims. Service connection is granted for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including major depression, PTSD, and substance use disorders).

Service connection granted for a bilateral foot disability, sleep apnea, and respiratory disability. The Veteran's claims for migraine headaches and testicular cancer are also reopened.,The Board found that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran’s conditions began during active service.

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for right knee disorder, left knee disorder, right ankle disorder, left ankle disorder, pes planus, and back disorder. The TDIU claim is dismissed.

The Veteran's low back, right knee, and right foot disabilities are being remanded for review of additional evidence. The acquired psychiatric disorder is also being remanded with a request to consider an initial rating in excess of 50 percent prior to March 23, 2019, and in excess of 70 percent thereafter.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of the Veteran's right and left foot disabilities due to a lack of VA examination, improper scheduling of Gulf War examination instead of a foot examination, and incorrect statements regarding service treatment records. The Veteran is required to be examined for her claimed foot disabilities.