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

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various disabilities, including low back, knee, ankle, and foot injuries, as well as an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's claims are being reviewed due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has granted an initial 10 percent rating for bilateral pes planus from January 17, 1976 to June 18, 2009.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including left knee disability, right knee disability, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, bilateral pes planus, skin disability (claimed as a rash on forearm, elbow, calves and eyelids), and diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus and denied secondary service connection for metatarsalgia. The Veteran's current foot disabilities are found to be related to his service-connected lumbar spine strain.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than September 1, 2016 for the grant of a 50 percent disability rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis is denied as there is no evidence showing that his symptoms warranted such a rating prior to September 1, 2016.

The Veteran's right foot disability was granted a 10 percent rating prior to May 6, 2013 and denied any higher ratings thereafter.

The Veteran's application to reopen his claim for a respiratory disorder was denied due to lack of new and material evidence. His claim for service connection for right foot plantar fasciitis was also denied as there is no direct evidence linking the condition to service.

The Veteran's kidney cancer with left nephrectomy was granted service connection effective March 14, 2017, due to exposure at Camp Lejeune. The flat feet claim is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus, a right knee condition, and a back condition due to insufficient development of evidence. The AOJ is instructed to obtain all relevant records, including in-service medical records from Korea, and provide the Veteran with an appropriate VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, obstructive sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus, pseudofolliculitis barbae, right knee disability (limitation of flexion), and bilateral foot disability have been granted. The appeals for the issues of service connection for eczema and an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for right knee arthritis status post anterior cruciate ligament repair are dismissed.

The Board has granted service connection for glaucoma, right foot pes planus, and left foot pes planus. The decision is based on the evidence showing a direct relationship to service.

The Veteran's plantar fasciitis is found to have started during her military service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate VA examinations and a need for new opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including lower back, left knee, left foot, and migraines.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's knee and foot conditions and his active duty service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left foot disability, bilateral hand disability, and initial compensable rating for conjunctivitis with iritis and uveitis need to be remanded due to missing VA medical records and the need for new examinations.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for various conditions, including eczema, right hip tendonitis, right lower extremity radiculopathy, fracture of the right clavicle, and bilateral pes equinus. The Board also granted a 10 percent rating for right ankle Achilles strain and a 50 percent rating for bilateral pes planus from February 15, 2018.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination due to incomplete compliance with previous remand instructions.

The Veteran's low back condition is granted service connection. The Board finds the evidence in equipoise regarding his right hip, left shoulder, left wrist, left knee, and left foot disabilities, granting them service connection as well.

The Veteran's petition to reopen a previously denied claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus is granted. Service connection for bilateral pes planus is denied. The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), right knee patellofemoral degenerative joint disease with limitation of flexion, and right knee patellofemoral degenerative joint disease with limitation of extension are remanded.

The Veteran's increased rating claims for lumbosacral strain, bilateral plantar fasciitis with history of left ankle sprain, hemorrhoids, and tinea pedis have been denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea has been remanded due to inadequate previous VA opinion.