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

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU, finding that his service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral ankle disability and bilateral pes planus due to a lack of current disabilities, as well as insufficient evidence linking any diagnosed conditions to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and sleep apnea, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain gainful employment for the period from November 20, 2014 to September 24, 2015. The Board has granted TDIU based on this evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for pes planus with calluses, finding that there was no new and material evidence to reopen the claim. The Board also determined that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus did not increase in severity during his military service.

The Board has granted an initial rating of 30 percent for the Veteran's bilateral foot disability, including plantar fasciitis and pes planus. The decision is based on a finding that the condition meets the criteria for a severe bilateral foot disability under Diagnostic Code 5276.

The Veteran was previously denied TDIU for the period prior to March 26, 2009 due to lack of schedular criteria. The Board found that his service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from engaging in gainful employment during this time.,For the period from March 26, 2009 to September 11, 2012, the Veteran was granted TDIU as his service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The application to reopen the claim for bilateral knee condition is denied.,The application to reopen the claim for bilateral pes planus (claimed as a bilateral feet disability) is granted. The issue of service connection for sleep apnea secondary to PTSD is remanded.

The Board has determined that the issues of entitlement to service connection for left knee, right knee, left ankle, right ankle, left foot, and right foot disabilities must be remanded due to additional development being required.

The claim of entitlement to service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and generalized anxiety disorder, is granted.,The claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral pes planus is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include hearing impairment, tinnitus, bilateral pes planus, and bilateral knee disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee and foot disabilities, finding that there is no evidence of a chronic disability in service or during the presumptive period, and that any current conditions are not related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral flat feet, left toe disorder (hallux valgus and hammer toes), and right toe disorder (hallux valgus and hammer toes) due to missing service treatment records. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's left foot disability is rated at 20 percent, and the TDIU claim is remanded for further action.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance was denied because he does not meet the criteria for such benefits due to his service-connected disabilities, which do not require him to be in bed or unable to perform daily activities.

The Veteran's request to reopen claims for depression, bilateral foot disability, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and hidradenitis suppurativa was granted. The claim for a higher rating for fibromyalgia remains denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's sleep apnea and its relationship to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment, and his TDIU appeal is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for a right foot disorder and acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression. The Veteran's assertions suggest these conditions may be related to her active service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's bilateral ankle disability, pes planus, bilateral plantar fasciitis, right and left knee disabilities. The claims are being returned for further development.