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

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and potential exposure verification. The Veteran seeks service connection for a bilateral foot disability related to his lumbar strain, and type II diabetes mellitus allegedly due to herbicide exposure at Schofield Barracks.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, plantar fasciitis of both feet, and arthritis of the right great toe have been granted. The Board found that there was sufficient evidence to establish a link between these conditions and service.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches and tinnitus, but has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional disabilities including posterior vitreous detachment (claimed as blurred vision), right knee disability, bilateral foot disability, head injury, brain disease due to trauma, left shoulder disability, prostatitis with semino-vesiculitis, upper right quadrant abdominal pain, and right shoulder disability.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for left knee degenerative joint disease with medial meniscus tear was granted, and he is now receiving the maximum schedular rating. The Veteran also received increased ratings for bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis and TDIU benefits.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, claimed as depression and PTSD, is not service connected. The right foot disability is also not service connected. Service connection for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity associated with degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development and evaluation of his service-connected disabilities. The Board finds that there are no clear errors in the previous decisions.

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for left and right foot disabilities due to incomplete development of records from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ). The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered if he provides the requested medical records later.

The Board has granted service connection for right leg medial gastrocnemius strain, bilateral pes planus, and right foot bunion and callouses.,Service connection is established for the Veteran's right leg medial gastrocnemius strain, bilateral pes planus, and right foot bunion and callouses.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus (flat feet) as there was no evidence of an increase in disability during active service and the condition did not worsen due to military service.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and bilateral pes planus, finding that these conditions are related to service. The Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome claims have been withdrawn.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims due to insufficient medical evidence. The main issues are left foot disability, lumbar spine disability (secondary to a left foot disability), lung disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and hepatitis C. Additional records need to be obtained from SSA, VA examinations for left foot and noise exposure, addendum opinions on lung disability and hearing loss, and an addendum opinion on hepatitis C.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral pes planus was aggravated by a superimposed injury during service, and therefore grants entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to incomplete records and need for further medical examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and treatment records, requiring further development including a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, right foot pes planus, and left foot pes planus due to insufficient examination reports and missing records.

The Veteran's initial higher ratings for a bilateral foot disability and left lower extremity nerve disability in excess of the assigned ratings are denied.

The Veteran's neck disability is granted as service connected, and her bilateral foot disability is denied.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for left and right leg shin splints, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral pes planus prior to February 15, 2017 are being remanded due to the addition of new VA records since the July 2017 supplemental statement of the case.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left foot disabilities, diagnosed as calcaneal heel spurs and posterior calcaneal enthesophytes. The right wrist and left wrist disabilities are also granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's applications to reopen several service connection claims, including for right foot disability, left foot disability, face discoloration, psychiatric disorder, hypertension, left knee disability, right knee disability, and kidney disease. The evidence submitted did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate these claims.