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

The Board denied service connection for right lower extremity sciatica or nerve damage, left lower extremity sciatica or nerve damage, low back disability, right foot disability, and left foot disability. The claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was also denied.,Service connection was not granted as the evidence did not show a current disability at any point during or in proximity to the appeal period.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety), a low back disorder, tinnitus, a foot disorder (plantar fasciitis), and hypertension. The reasons given were that there was no current disability meeting VA criteria for these conditions, or evidence of in-service injury or exposure.

The Board has dismissed all the claims on appeal, including service connection for various disabilities and increased ratings.

The Veteran's right foot and left foot disabilities are denied as they did not manifest during service or within one year of discharge, and there is no evidence linking them to service.,The Veteran's left hip disability (osteoarthritis) is granted as the evidence is in relative equipoise with regard to its relation to service. However, his skin cancer is denied due to lack of a nexus between it and service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for SMC based on a need for regular aid and attendance of another person due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that he does not require such assistance.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issues of service connection for ringworm, an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, and bilateral foot disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability and a right foot disability are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and development of her service records.

The Veteran's bilateral foot plantar fasciitis is rated at 30 percent, effective August 20, 2007. The Board found that the condition meets the criteria for a 30 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 5284.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including pes planus, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a right eye disorder, a low back disorder, left ankle disorders, right ankle disorders, right shoulder disorders, right hand disorders, and headache disorders. The reasons given were that the evidence did not support a finding of in-service aggravation or incurrence for most conditions, and there was no current diagnosis for some conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic jock itch is denied as there is no evidence of a disease or injury during service and the condition has not been linked to any in-service event.,Service connection for erectile dysfunction, left foot disorder, and left knee disorder are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions on etiology. Service connection for left shoulder disorder is also remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disorder is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, a left foot disability to include plantar fasciitis and tinea pedis, and hemorrhoids. The Board found that there was no current diagnosis of COPD or any other respiratory condition, and that the Veteran did not have an in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for kyphoscoliosis with lumbar lordosis and bilateral pes planus were denied as new evidence did not establish a relationship to service.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his service-connected bilateral foot condition, including plantar fasciitis and pes planus, was denied. The appeal is based on the denial of an increased disability rating prior to December 18, 2018.

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for bilateral foot, hip, ankle, lumbar spine, and skin disabilities due to exposure to Agent Orange. Updated VA treatment records and examinations are needed.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus, finding that the preexisting condition worsened during active duty.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding her left knee strain and bilateral pes planus. The total disability rating claim is also being returned to the RO.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left hip and left foot disabilities due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based upon unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his service-connected conditions did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to her service-connected disabilities, finding that her education and work experience did not preclude her from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis with pes equinus was not found to meet the criteria for a higher rating as it did not show marked pronation, extreme tenderness of the plantar surfaces of the feet, or marked inward displacement and severe spasm of the tendo achilles on manipulation.,The Veteran’s lumbar spine strain has not been found to meet the criteria for an increased evaluation due to lack of unfavorable ankylosis.