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

The Veteran's right foot hallux valgus, claimed as plantar fasciitis, is granted an initial rating of 10 percent.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status was denied because his service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC, as he is not in need of regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis is granted service connection, and the initial rating for his bilateral pes planus remains at 30 percent.

The Veteran's heart disorder, diagnosed as mitral valve regurgitation, is granted service connection. The right and left foot disabilities are denied service connection.

The Veteran's right foot disability and migraine headaches have been granted service connection, but an effective date prior to January 22, 2016 is denied. The rating for the right foot disability remains at 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis is aggravated by her service-connected depressive disorder, NOS.

The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left knee disability, right knee disability, right hip disability, low back disability, and hypertension are all remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board denied an increased rating for bilateral pes planus, finding that the Veteran's disability did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating at any point during the appeal period.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for pes planus, bilateral knee disability, back disability, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to a lack of current diagnoses at any point during or prior to the appeal period.

The Board has identified the need to obtain additional medical records and remands the case for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and providing a medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of any diagnosed foot conditions, particularly pes planus.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for neck, hip, knee, ankle, and foot disabilities due to a lack of proper notification regarding scheduled examinations.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining private medical records and providing VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and to obtain medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claims of service connection for right and left knee conditions, bilateral pes planus, and major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's claim for a scar on the head is denied as there is no current diagnosis of a scar and recent VA examination did not find any visible scar.,The Veteran's claim for varicose veins of the left leg is denied as there is no evidence that they began during service or are related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.,The Veteran's claim for erectile dysfunction including as secondary to service-connected disabilities is remanded due to lack of a medical opinion on whether it was aggravated by service-connected conditions.,The Veteran's claim for bilateral plantar fasciitis is remanded due to the need for an examination and opinion regarding its relationship to in-service complaints of right heel pain.,The Veteran's claim for right ear hearing loss is remanded due to lack of a medical opinion on whether it was related to service-connected tinnitus.,The Veteran's claim for gastritis is remanded due to the need for an examination and opinion regarding its relationship to in-service complaints of gastroenteritis.,The Veteran's claim for hypertension is remanded due to the need for an examination and opinion regarding its relationship to in-service blood pressure readings.

The Veteran's hypertension and bilateral flat feet were found to have onset during service, with the Board finding that his current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his military service. The Veteran's pre-existing pes planus was determined not to be aggravated by service.

The Board has denied service connection for left foot and right foot disabilities, but granted service connection for tinnitus.

The Board denied service connection for vertigo, chest pain, otitis media and externa, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, and bilateral pes planus as the evidence did not establish a causal relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral tinea pedis, bilateral flat feet, right and left knee disabilities, and diabetes mellitus, type II. The Board found that there is no evidence of any in-service injury or disease related to these conditions, and that they are not otherwise causally related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether the Veteran's symptoms are related to his military service.