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

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for back, left foot, right foot, and eye disabilities. The claims are remanded to allow for further examination and consideration.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's right foot disability is denied as not related to service, while his eye disability (glaucoma and cataracts) requires further evaluation.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right foot disabilities due to additional development being required.

The Board has granted a total disability rating based upon individual employability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) effective from May 11, 2016.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and adjudication of issues related to pes planus, degenerative joint disease of the feet, and service connection for nerve damage of the feet. The Veteran's claim is being returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Veteran's appeal is REMANDED for additional development, including examinations to assess the nature and etiology of his claimed left ankle and bilateral flat foot disorders. The issue of whether a TDIU is warranted is also referred to VA’s Director of Compensation Service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a right foot condition and bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient medical opinions addressing direct service connection, aggravation by service-connected conditions, and whether current disabilities are related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and hypertension. All three conditions are found to have originated in-service and continue to be treated by VA.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for educational assistance benefits under the Montgomery GI Bill-Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR) because she did not meet the eligibility requirements, as her service department determined that she was suspended from the Selected Reserve due to unsatisfactory participation and then discharged in April 2005. She had a service-connected disability but it did not prevent her from serving.

The Board has withdrawn the Veteran's claims for right foot and chest pain disabilities. The left shoulder disability is granted with service connection established. The low back, right knee, and left knee disabilities are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's bilateral flat feet and associated back disability are rated at 50% and 20%, respectively, warranting a combined rating of 70%. The Veteran is granted TDIU based on the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for clarification regarding whether the Veteran has a diagnosis of pes planus, and if so, its relationship to his service-connected right foot condition. The claim will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his left foot disability was denied. For anxiety disorder, the Board granted an increased rating of 70 percent effective December 20, 2019, after initially denying it and remanding the case.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral foot disability, including pes planus, as the Veteran failed to report for a VA examination and there is no evidence of aggravation during service.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is denied.,Service connection for the lumbar spine disability, left foot disability, and right foot disability is denied.,The claims for service connection for left foot disability and right foot disability are remanded due to lack of new and material evidence.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, and substance abuse disorder) is remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral foot disorder, diagnosed as hallux valgus and degenerative changes in the first metatarsal-phalangeal joint and plantar fasciitis. The condition is found to have originated during active duty.

The Board dismissed the claim of service connection for a sarcoma of the right upper back, later characterized as a lipoma on the neck. The Veteran's claim was granted in November 2019 and became effective February 15, 2019.,The temporary total rating for convalescence following treatment for the lipoma on the back of the neck was denied because it occurred before service connection was established.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral upper and lower extremity radiculopathy and bilateral pes planus due to outstanding private treatment records and need for a new examination.

The Board has denied service connection for right foot and left knee disabilities, but has remanded the issue of service connection for a left foot disability.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disability is rated at 50% effective February 6, 2018. His back disability is rated at 40%. The left ear hearing loss claim remains pending and the right ear hearing loss and psychiatric disorder claims are remanded.