Foot (incl. plantar fasciitis, flat feet) decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral plantar fascial fibromatosis is related to his service, specifically during periods of active duty, ACDUTRA, or INACDUTRA. The Veteran needs a VA examination to evaluate this condition and determine its etiology.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include left foot disability, left knee disability (secondary), and psychiatric disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a new VA opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's menstrual disorder. Service connection is granted for right foot disability and left foot disability.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum rating available under VA regulations.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 30 percent, which is also the maximum rating available under VA regulations.,Service connection for pain in the left foot with swelling, numbness, tingling toes, and frost bite is denied.,Service connection for pain in the right hand with numbness and tingling is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including other trauma and stressor related disorder, lumbar intervertebral disc syndrome, degenerative disc disease, degenerative arthritis, lumbosacral strain, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, tinnitus, bilateral pes planus, bilateral hearing loss, dermatitis of the neck, and erectile dysfunction, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since September 17, 2016. The Veteran's combined service-connected rating was 80 percent at that time. Basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35 is established as of September 17, 2016.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for flat feet, low back disability, and right knee disability due to new evidence received. The claims are being reviewed based on continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for service connection for depression, left foot disability, and bilateral hand disability has been granted.,New evidence shows that the Veteran experienced pain in her hands which can constitute a disability. Her claim of service connection for bilateral hand disability is reopened.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for his lumbar spine and left foot disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's service-connected pes planus with plantar fasciitis did not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to September 26, 2008.

The Board has granted service connection for right foot pes planus and left foot pes planus. The claims of service connection for left shin splints, left ankle disability, and left shoulder disability are remanded.

The Board has found that the Veteran's right and left foot disabilities were not incurred or aggravated in service, as there is no evidence of such during her period of active duty. The hearing loss claim was remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Veteran's travel expenses to El Paso, Texas for mental health treatment were denied as he did not meet the income level requirements and there was no VA authorization of beneficiary travel payment prior to his treatment. The Board found that reimbursement was not warranted due to lack of prior authorization.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral pes planus, finding that the condition was not incurred in or related to active duty service and is not secondary to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development, specifically a lack of an adequate examination addressing both direct and secondary service connection for any current foot disability diagnoses the Veteran had during the period on appeal. The Regional Office must obtain an addendum opinion explaining whether the Veteran's service-connected big toe disability has caused 'any increase in severity' to his bilateral pes planus, hallux vagus, or foot pain that is proximately due to or the result of a service-connected disease or injury.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left and right foot conditions due to incomplete STRs, need for additional VA examinations, and inconsistencies in the Veteran's lay statements.

All claims for service connection and increased ratings have been withdrawn by the Veteran.,The Veteran's hepatitis A has not met the criteria for a higher than 10 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete medical records and insufficient rationale in the previous decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability has been reopened and remanded due to the presence of new evidence showing lumbar degenerative disc disease.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a neck disability remains denied as no new material evidence was received.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right and left plantar fasciitis, as well as a new ankle disability, are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is now remanded for further development, including an addendum VA opinion.