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

The Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his military service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The claims for bilateral finger, hand numbness, shoulder, arm, and pes planus conditions are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, meeting the criteria for TDIU.

The Board dismissed the appeals for all listed conditions as the Veteran withdrew her appeal through her attorney prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient evidence and need further examination. The issues include psychiatric, right knee, right foot, left foot, and sinus disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of these claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional examinations. The issues include PFB, lumbar and cervical neck disabilities, OSA, hypertension, and pes planus.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis due to new and material evidence. The claim for left hand disability remains denied as there is no competent medical evidence linking any current disability to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected right heel disability, plantar fasciitis and left calcaneal heel spur due to the need for additional examination and treatment records.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to incomplete evidence and conflicting medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right hand, right knee, right foot, and left foot disabilities due to inadequate reasons or bases in previous decisions. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions, which were previously denied. On remand, the Veteran should be afforded new VA examinations to determine if his current symptoms are related to active service or his service-connected mood disorder NOS.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hiatal hernia with GERD, bilateral shin splints, allergic rhinitis, hypertension, hemorrhoids, right wrist sprain, left wrist sprain, thoracolumbar spine disability, and bilateral pes planus were granted effective July 1, 2016. Claims for other conditions are denied as they were not received within one year of separation from service.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is rated as noncompensable, and the Board denied a higher rating.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) was also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for further verification of his National Guard service. The AOJ is instructed to obtain missing medical records, verify his periods of active duty, and consider possible undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained multi-symptom illness if confirmed.

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and foot conditions. He did not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation at the housebound rate or based on aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral pes planus and low back condition due to insufficient development. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions, which are currently denied.

The Veteran's left ankle disability was rated at 10 percent prior to October 15, 2018 and increased to 20 percent thereafter. The claim for a higher rating is denied.,TDIU was granted effective October 15, 2018, but the pre-October 15, 2018 period is not considered due to lack of minimum schedular requirements.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the criteria for TDIU prior to October 15, 2018.

The Veteran's tinnitus is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, was not incurred during service or as a result of an in-service injury, disease, or event. Therefore, his claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for blindness, glaucoma, hypertension, TBI, rheumatoid arthritis, right shoulder pain, left shoulder pain, left elbow disorder, right shoulder disorder, right wrist disorder, left wrist disorder, numbness and stiffness in the right toes, numbness, pain, and tingling in the left leg, joint pain and swelling in the jaw, right hip disorder, left hip disorder, left knee disorder, right ankle disorder, left ankle disorder, bilateral pes planus, left foot bunions, right foot bunions, residuals of a rib fracture, right hand disorder, left hand disorder, tonsillitis, dizzy spells, chronic fatigue disorder, pharyngitis (inflammation of the throat), allergy disorder, breathing disorder, sleep apnea, heart disorder manifest by an irregular heartbeat, ulcer, gastritis, gastrointestinal disorder manifested by gas and stomach problems, GERD, kidney disorder, residuals of a left chest lipoma, obesity, left arm disorder, and numbness, pain, and stiffness in the fingers.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for his service-connected pes planus with residual pain of heel fracture is remanded due to the need for updated medical examination and records.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral foot disability and low back disability, but granted service connection for right ankle tendonitis.,There is no effective date provided in the decision.