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

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied due to lack of evidence linking the current disabilities to his active duty service.,Service connection was granted for tinnitus, effective March 30, 2015.

The Board has remanded several issues including service connection for psychiatric disorders, sleep condition, ED, lumbar condition, left knee condition, and right knee condition due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's flat feet disability is not entitled to an increased rating.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance was granted, effective March 22, 2019. The evidence showed that the Veteran needed help with most activities of daily living due to his service-connected mental health conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development to address whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities are permanently disabling and to determine his eligibility for education benefits under Chapter 35.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right wrist disability, pes planus, and an initial rating higher than 20 percent for left knee disorder. The claim for a separate 10 percent rating for instability of the left knee was granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the criteria for a special home adaptation grant, and thus denied his appeal.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis are currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board finds that this rating is not appropriate as there is no evidence of pronounced bilateral acquired flatfoot.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis is granted as service connected. The claims for toenail fungus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, a depressive disorder, and anxiety), neurobehavioral effects to the face, and heart disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a lumbar spine disorder, left foot plantar fasciitis, and bilateral hearing loss are granted. The claim for initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's appeal was granted for a 50 percent rating for bilateral pes planus, but the appeals for service connection and SMC based on aid and attendance were denied. The decision also noted that the Veteran is not competent to handle disbursement of VA funds.

The Board denied service connection for right and left foot disabilities, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral foot condition existed prior to his entrance into service and was not aggravated beyond its natural progression during service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis as there is no current diagnosis of this condition in his medical records.

The Veteran's service connection for thyroid cancer is granted. The claim for SMC based on housebound status is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left foot disabilities, bilateral eye disability, sleep apnea, erectile dysfunction, bilateral kidney disability, and bilateral lung disability. Service connection is denied for muscle spasms.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left foot disability and low back disability have been denied as there is no evidence of any current disabilities related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral pes planus, cervical spine degenerative disc disease, and right shoulder strain have been granted. The claim for PTSD remains denied.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is granted a 30 percent rating effective from August 16, 2018. A compensable rating prior to that date is denied.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae is granted as service connected. The right foot and ankle disabilities are remanded for further examination.

The Board has determined that the VA failed to provide an adequate medical opinion regarding the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right foot plantar fasciitis. The case is being remanded to obtain a new opinion from an appropriate clinician.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development, including obtaining medical opinions and treatment records to address the Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions.