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

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, but the specific disabilities and issues are not fully specified in this decision. The Board has reopened his claims for thoracic spine disability, left knee disability, left elbow disability, left foot disability, bilateral hearing loss, and cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's gout has been rated at 60 percent since the grant of service connection, effective prior to October 1, 2019. From October 1, 2019 onwards, a higher rating is not warranted. The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as he did not complete the necessary VA Form 21-8940 and there was insufficient evidence of unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and evaluations to determine the current severity of her service-connected conditions, including bilateral flat feet, left foot bone spur with surgery, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and hypertension. The Veteran seeks higher ratings for these conditions.

The Board has granted a 50 percent rating for the Veteran's bilateral pes planus, finding that his symptoms more closely resemble pronounced flatfeet with chronic pain and marked inward displacement of the tendo Achilles.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination in determining whether the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral flat feet worsened during service.

The Veteran's back, right knee, plantar fasciitis, skin disability of the feet, OSA, headache, bilateral eye, and allergies disabilities are remanded for further examination and determination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disability and a bilateral foot disability, finding insufficient evidence to establish service connection.

The Veteran's right foot calcaneal spur has been granted a 30 percent rating effective July 10, 2006. The other claims for increased ratings and TDIU have been granted.

The Veteran's TDIU claim prior to October 15, 2015 is being remanded due to the need for referral to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's bilateral flat feet disability is rated at a 30 percent rating throughout the appeal period, but not entitled to an increased rating beyond this level.,The Veteran’s skin rash of the face is remanded for further development regarding whether her topical treatment constitutes systemic therapy.

The Veteran's bilateral knee patella femoral syndrome and pes planus were evaluated, with the left knee receiving a separate rating for instability. The Veteran's right knee was denied an increased evaluation. Bilateral pes planus received a 10 percent evaluation prior to June 9, 2016, which was subsequently raised to 30 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for chronic bronchitis, chronic sinusitis, and bilateral foot condition (plantar fasciitis) due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates, finding that the date of claim is the later of the two dates and thus the appropriate effective date.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus, stress fracture of the right second metatarsal, left hallux valgus, and migraine headaches render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board grants TDIU on an extraschedular basis from May 20, 2013.

Your claims for service connection for a back disability, bilateral foot disability, and bilateral hearing loss have been dismissed as the appeal is moot due to the grant of service connection for your back disability.

Service connection for bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis with bone spurs, degenerative joint disease, and metatarsalgia is granted effective December 16, 1977.,Service connection for a back disability, diagnosed as degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and lumbar neuropathy, is granted.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection due to conflicting information regarding her period of active duty and reserve status. The veteran is required to provide additional evidence, including personnel records from Camp Lincoln, to verify her service during the specified time frame.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his education and work history, leading the Board to grant a TDIU as of April 8, 2016.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and a need for further medical opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis.