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

The Board has found that additional and relevant medical evidence was received into the record since the December 2018 Statements of the Case. As a result, the case is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's earlier effective date for service connection of right foot plantar fasciitis was withdrawn.,A 10% rating is granted for the Veteran’s left shoulder condition, characterized by pain and limited motion.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected pes planus of the left and right feet, finding that the current schedular ratings are adequate to reflect the severity of his disability.

The Board has granted the Veteran's applications to reopen his claims for service connection for dermatomycosis tinea, gastroenteritis, TBI, bilateral pes planus, a left ankle condition, and a left knee disability. The application to reopen the claim of service connection for headaches is also granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date of September 8, 2010, for his service-connected bilateral foot disability. The decision states that there is no legal basis to grant an earlier effective date than October 7, 2010.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to insufficient opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral knee and foot disabilities, as well as the presence or absence of a superimposed injury in service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to an undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained chronic multisymptoms, including PTSD, sleep apnea, and various physical disabilities. The Veteran is required to provide more details about his stressors and any relevant medical records from SSA.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic gastritis, spondylosis, calcaneal spurs and plantar fasciitis have been dismissed as the RO granted service connection for a stomach condition in July 2016.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board finds that it does not warrant a higher rating as there are no symptoms present that more closely approximate the criteria for a 50 percent rating.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including hypertension, IBS, left knee disability, slurred speech, and right and left foot disabilities. Service connection is denied for diabetes mellitus, left hand disability, and lower extremity neuropathy.

The Veteran's claims for left hand/thumb disability, degenerative joint disease of the left shoulder, chondromalacia patella of the right knee, and left foot disability have been reopened. The claims for left hand/thumb disability and left foot disability are granted, while the claim for degenerative joint disease of the left shoulder is denied.,The Veteran's service-connected right ankle disability has led to a secondary service connection for left foot disability.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus as secondary to the now service-connected hearing loss disability, and a bilateral foot disorder (hallux valgus and pes planus) due to in-service noise exposure. The Veteran's psoriasis, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction are not currently service connected.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings, finding no evidence to support his assertions or that his conditions are related to service. The Veteran was granted a TDIU and basic eligibility for Dependents' Education Assistance.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral flat feet, finding no clear and unmistakable error in the October 2014 rating decision. The Veteran's claim was based on direct evidence of a condition during service.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disability, right knee patellofemoral syndrome with arthritis from August 31, 2010 to July 4, 2019, and left knee patellofemoral syndrome with arthritis on and after July 5, 2019 are all granted. The Veteran's service connection for these conditions is based on aggravation of a preexisting condition during active duty.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeals for service connection and increased rating claims.

The Veteran's claims for residuals of frostbite of the bilateral feet and right knee condition (to include arthritis) have been denied. The claim for service connection for a right foot bunionectomy has resulted in a rating increase to 10 percent.,New evidence was submitted to reopen the claims for right foot hammertoes and right foot plantar calluses, but not for residuals of frostbite of the bilateral feet or right knee condition (to include arthritis).,The Veteran's claim for service connection for right foot hammertoes is remanded due to insufficient medical opinion on direct service connection. The same applies to his claim for service connection for right foot plantar calluses.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. The claims for plantar fasciitis with neuromas and trigger finger of the right 3rd digit are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left foot disability has been reopened due to new and material evidence. The case is being remanded for further development, including an examination of the Veteran's left foot condition.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus and right upper extremity CTS with cervical radiculopathy have been rated, but the Board has found that additional development is needed for the lumbar spine disability.