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

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to inadequate VA examination opinions. The issues include headaches, bilateral knee disabilities, bilateral hip disabilities, bilateral ankle disabilities, and bilateral foot disabilities (other than pes planus).

The Board has determined that the VA treatment on February 19, 2014 may have exacerbated a preexisting lumbar spine disability. The Veteran's bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis, left knee meniscal tear, and left knee arthritis with instability are also being remanded for further evaluation.

The appeal for service connection for a left eye disorder is denied. Appeals for right foot, elbow, wrist, and knee disorders are remanded.

The Board has ordered a remand for further medical examination to determine if the Veteran's bilateral pes planus with hallux rigidus of the 1st metatarsal phalangeal joints was aggravated by service and, if so, whether any increase in severity was due to its natural progression.

The Veteran's service-connected mental disabilities and physical conditions make her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. However, the claim is remanded as more information is needed regarding her employment status.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted effective from November 12, 2016. The Veteran's depression disability with anxious distress is rated at 70 percent since March 2, 2017 and the Board finds that a higher evaluation is not warranted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus, finding that there was no evidence of a disease or injury in service and that any current condition is not related to service.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral foot conditions are granted. The issues of service connection for left and right foot tarsal tunnel syndrome, peroneal tendonitis, and calcaneal spurs are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and PTSD, as well as increased ratings for right foot plantar fasciitis and low back disorder, were granted effective April 24, 2017.,However, the effective dates for these grants are not earlier than April 24, 2017.

The Veteran's low back disability is granted as service-connected. The claims for bilateral plantar fasciitis, left ankle condition, and right ankle condition are remanded due to incomplete records and need further examination.

The Veteran's right ankle blisters were not found during examinations and no treatment records show the condition. The claim for this issue is denied.,There is no evidence of a neurological disability of both hands in service or related to service. The claim for this issue is denied.

The Board has determined that additional evaluations and examinations are needed for the Veteran's hearing loss, carpel tunnel syndrome, joint pain, low back disability, and right foot disability claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to August 26, 2013, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service connection for psychomotor epilepsy is denied as he has not experienced seizures during the appeal period.,The Veteran's claimed 'blackouts' are found to be a symptom of his already service-connected psychomotor epilepsy.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral pes planus, left toe disability, and right toe disability due to inadequate previous VA examinations. A new examination is needed to determine if any diagnosed conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's left and right knee disabilities are granted as service-connected.,Bilateral pes planus, bilateral valgus deformity, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and bilateral subtalar joint dislocation are all granted as secondary to the now-service-connected bilateral pes planus. ,Degenerative joint disease of the feet is also granted as service-connected.,Pseudofolliculitis barbae is granted as service-connected.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and new treatment records. The issues include bilateral foot disability, gastrointestinal disability, migraine headaches, and acquired psychiatric disability (major depressive disorder).

The Board has granted a rating of 20 percent for left knee instability/subluxation and right knee instability/subluxation since May 9, 2017. The Veteran's right plantar fasciitis continues to be rated at 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus and degenerative arthritis of the spine with intervertebral disc syndrome and spinal stenosis (lumbar spine disability) due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran is required to provide VA with his outstanding VA treatment records from the Hickory Outpatient Clinic in Asheville, NC.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for migraines was denied as her migraines did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent.,For the period prior to June 21, 2019, the Veteran’s bilateral plantar fasciitis was characterized by severe symptoms including objective evidence of marked deformity and swelling on use. However, her claim for an increased rating was denied as it did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent.,Since June 21, 2019, the Veteran’s bilateral plantar fasciitis was characterized by extreme tenderness of plantar surfaces and symptoms not improved by orthotics. Her claim for an increased rating to 50 percent or higher was denied as it did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 50 percent.