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

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, bilateral foot disability, bilateral shoulder disability, and lumbar spine disability due to missing evidence in the Veteran's May 2021 submission.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, depression, anxiety and sleep and mood disorders is denied. The Board also remanded the claims of service connection for right and left fallen arches and heel pain, right and left plantar fasciitis, bilateral hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, sinusitis, and acid reflux (GERD).

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination and a need for new medical evidence regarding the Veteran's service-connected bilateral foot disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of left knee, right knee, and left foot disabilities secondary to his service-connected right foot disability have been granted. Service connection for PTSD has also been established.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected left foot disability. The other issues on appeal have been denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to unclear diagnosis and symptoms related to service-connected bilateral pes planus. An addendum opinion is needed from the June 2021 foot examiner.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, GERD, and bilateral pes planus. The decision also addressed a claim for increased ratings for low back disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions in the VA nexus reports and the need for additional private treatment records. The appellant's claim will be adjudicated based on the evidence available.

The Board has dismissed all claims for service connection due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's left foot disability is rated as 10 percent disabling under DC 5279, and a higher rating is requested. The Board has ordered a remand to clarify the conditions associated with the service-connected metatarsalgia.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new and material evidence having been received. The issues of service connection for bilateral shin splints, lumbar spine disorder, left ankle disorder, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, anxiety disorder, and anger disorder) are now before the Board.

The Veteran's tinnitus, fibromyalgia, bilateral plantar fasciitis, right shoulder strain with pain, left shoulder strain with pain, right knee strain with pain, and right hip strain with pain have been granted service connection. The Veteran's PTSD with MDD and alcohol use disorder has also been granted an increased rating to 100 percent from March 7, 2015 to September 23, 2019.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right great toe bipartite sesamoid bone disability and right foot plantar fasciitis are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess their current severity.

The Veteran's right foot disabilities, including heel spur, disfigurement of toes, plantar fasciitis, neuroma of the sural nerve / Morton's neuroma, and fallen arch / pes planus are granted as service connected. The petition to reopen the claim for a right hallux disability is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is found to have caused or contributed to her current hypertension.,There is no evidence of a current disability related to the claimed bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, knee disabilities, pes planus, or cardiac disability that could be attributed to active service.,The Veteran does not have and has not been diagnosed as having a heart condition due to her service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current foot disorder, including pes planus and plantar fasciitis, is at least as likely as not related to service. As a result, the claim for service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral plantar fasciitis, right knee medial meniscal tear (claimed as secondary to left patellofemoral pain syndrome), and a rating in excess of 10 percent for left patellofemoral pain syndrome due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a lumbar spine disability, right foot disability, left foot disability, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to the need for further development and examination.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA and non-VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to address service connection for bilateral pes planus based on aggravation and any other diagnosed foot disorders.

The Veteran has withdrawn his claims for urinary tract disorder, left foot injury, and right foot injury. The remaining issues of service connection for shoulder disorders, knee disorder, plantar fasciitis, and gastrointestinal disorder are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.