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

The Board has decided to remand the cases of service connection for pes planus of both feet due to a previous error in requesting opinions related to a presumption that does not apply. The case is now back before the Board and requires further examination regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral pes planus clearly and unmistakably existed prior to service and was clearly and unmistakably not aggravated by service.

The Veteran's migraine headaches and bilateral plantar fasciitis with bunions have been granted service connection. The initial rating for the bilateral foot condition has been increased to 50 percent.

The Board denied service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae (shaving bumps) and bilateral pes planus, but granted service connection for mass on aortic valve. The claim of increased rating for PTSD was also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis had its onset during active service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's heart palpitations and right foot problems are being remanded for further evaluation due to unclear diagnoses and potential aggravation claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a TDIU rating for the periods specified.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new examination and updated VA treatment records, as his service-connected bilateral pes planus with hammertoes has worsened.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for back and right foot disabilities due to his service-connected left ankle disability. The cases are sent back for additional opinions from VA clinicians.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations and additional medical records. The issues of service connection for onychomycosis, bilateral pes planus, left hip labral tear with limitation of flexion, left hip labral tear with limitation of extension, pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), folliculitis decalvans, and scarring alopecia, scalp scar, bilateral plantar fasciitis, hypertension, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS), and left knee PFPS are all remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee strain and bilateral plantar fasciitis were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for either condition.

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder, right shoulder, cervical spine, lumbar spine, left hip, right hip, left knee, right knee, left ankle, right ankle, left foot, and right foot disabilities as well as a heart disability.,The Board also denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, anxiety, and depression.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, bronchial asthma and COPD, rhinitis, bilateral pes planus, left knee PFPS, and PTSD. The issues of entitlement to increased ratings for bilateral pes planus and left knee PFPS have been remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claims for right ear hearing loss, PTSD, and bilateral plantar fasciitis have been granted. The Board found that the Veteran has current diagnoses of these conditions and established a link between her in-service treatment and their development.

The Board has found that additional development is necessary before these claims can be adjudicated on their respective merits, including the need for VA examinations and a determination of whether the Veteran meets the schedular or extraschedular criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's heart disability and seizure disorder are granted as secondary to Agent Orange exposure.,Service connection for hepatitis C is denied.

The Veteran's claim for VR&E services, including a doctoral degree in osteopathic medicine, is remanded due to the need for a new vocational rehabilitation evaluation considering his current symptomatology and employment capabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, bilateral hearing loss, and a bilateral foot disability due to incomplete development of medical records and failure to contact the Veteran for VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for initial evaluations of his service-connected disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left foot disability, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease and insufficient medical opinion to support secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for varicose veins, bilateral foot disability, and hepatitis C due to incomplete service records. The Veteran's treatment at Fort Riley is suspected but not confirmed in the current record.