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

The Veteran's claims for service connection of a right foot condition and increased rating for PTSD prior to July 11, 2013 and from September 1, 2013 have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding that the current conditions were related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis and related conditions have been rated at 50 percent since January 16, 2020. The Board denied a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis. The examiner is requested to provide an addendum opinion addressing whether the Veteran’s plantar fasciitis is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral foot disabilities, specifically cold injury.

The Board has ordered a remand to determine the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral foot disorders, including pes planus, and whether there is clear and unmistakable evidence that the pre-existing condition was not aggravated during service.

The Board has restored the Veteran's right foot disability rating from 40% to 40%, effective August 1, 2017, as the reduction was improper based on a single examination and not supported by evidence of sustained improvement.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to their death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this case.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating of his cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, as well as his bilateral ankle disabilities. The issues are being remanded due to inadequate VA examinations in previous decisions.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and an addendum medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's left knee disability. The decision on service connection remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for VR&E services, including education in Eastern Medicine, is remanded due to the need for further development and a new vocational rehabilitation evaluation considering all of the evidence of record.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disability, bilateral foot disability, sleep apnea, and erectile dysfunction due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his active duty or reserve service.

The Veteran's right knee disability is not service-connected as it did not originate in service or within one year of discharge, and is not otherwise etiologically related to service.,Service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) cannot be established as the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of GERD.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral foot disability and new evidence not being considered.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral pes planus, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his military service. The evidence does not support a link between the Veteran's current foot disability and his time in active duty or Reserve service.

The Veteran is granted entitlement to SMC at the rate authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 1114(l) from November 29, 2008 due to his service-connected benign pituitary adenoma with diabetes mellitus and adrenal insufficiency.,The Veteran is also granted entitlement to SMC at the rate authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 1114(o) from January 8, 2009 as he has two of the rates provided in subsection (l) without considering the same condition twice.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment for the period from February 9, 2016 to February 22, 2018.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic lumbar spine disorder has been reopened and remanded. The claims for left knee disability, flat feet, depressive disorder, hypertension, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), right hip disability, and history of left ankle fracture are also remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of bilateral foot disability and hearing loss due to lack of compliance with prior remand instructions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been withdrawn. The Board has also denied his claim for bilateral hearing loss and granted his claim for a head scar. The remaining issues, including arthritis of the right wrist, right shoulder rotator entrapment, bilateral foot pain, head trauma, diabetes mellitus, numbness in hands (secondary to diabetes), and hemorrhoids, have been remanded.

The Veteran's abdominal scars are granted as they were incurred during active service.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is denied due to lack of evidence linking the conditions to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbar spine disorder and right foot/right ankle disorder due to insufficient information regarding her periods of active duty, ACDUTRA, and INACDUTRA. The VA will need to obtain this information and provide additional opinions on the etiology of the Veteran's conditions.