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

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lung disorder, right hand condition, right carpal tunnel syndrome, left foot disability, and right foot disability due to issues with the factual predicate of previous opinions and potential new evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment, leading to a grant of total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches, right foot plantar fasciitis, left foot plantar fasciitis, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to additional development being warranted.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder is granted as secondary to service-connected disabilities.,A rating in excess of 30 percent for the right foot disability is denied.,An earlier effective date for a 30 percent rating for the right foot disability is denied.,Effective dates prior to February 13, 2018, for noncompensable ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are denied.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal by signing an Appeals Satisfaction Notice, indicating satisfaction with the granted ratings for his back disability and bilateral plantar fasciitis.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis and heel spurs have been rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum rating available under DC 5276. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as there is no evidence of pronounced symptoms such as marked pronation or inward displacement.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to herbicide exposure, including diabetes mellitus, left knee disability, hole in the palette (mouth), cyst in eardrum, left shoulder disability, right foot plantar fasciitis, and left foot plantar fasciitis. The records from San Diego VAMC and Fort Bliss VAMC are requested, as well as any SSA records related to his disability benefits.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee and foot disabilities due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran will need a VA examination to determine if his current conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The appeals are granted as to the back disability, bilateral shoulder disabilities, and bilateral foot disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right foot disability and entitlement to TDIU due to inadequate development of the evidence. The Veteran is seeking service connection for his current disabilities, which he contends are related to his military occupational specialty as a paratrooper.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus with Achilles tendonitis was restored to a 50% disability rating effective February 1, 2017. The appeal for higher ratings is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are remanded due to the need for updated examinations and consideration of all his symptoms. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with his current increased rating claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence in his service treatment records and a need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral foot, back, and knee disabilities due to inadequate examination in the previous decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted for ischemic heart disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and other conditions due to exposure to herbicide agents. The claim for embolism and thrombosis is denied.

The Board has determined that there has not been substantial compliance with the previous remand directives and thus, the case is being returned to the RO for further development.

The Board denied service connection for pes planus, plantar fasciitis (to include as secondary to pes planus), and a left ankle disorder due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for right hip disability and bilateral foot disability due to outstanding private medical records that need to be obtained and reviewed by a VA examiner.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, to include bilateral flatfeet and foot pain.,The Board also denied service connection for a left shoulder condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for a right foot disability, including as secondary to other service-connected conditions. Additional medical opinions are needed to address the relationship between current diagnoses and service.