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

The Board denied the Veteran's request to extend his temporary total evaluation based on post-operative residuals of a right foot surgery, finding that he was not incapacitated beyond December 1, 2017.

The Veteran's request for a higher rating for residuals of a fractured left big toe is denied, but he receives a separate 10 percent rating for his left foot plantar fasciitis as of June 2, 2021.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, bilateral shin splints, and plantar fasciitis due to the Veteran's withdrawal.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a non-organic sleep disorder is dismissed.,Issues of service connection for allergic rhinitis, OSA, TBI, headaches, Meniere's disease, bilateral plantar fasciitis (to include as secondary to service-connected lumbar spine disability), and erectile dysfunction (to include as secondary to service-connected hypertension) are remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left foot disability, finding that there is not clear and unmistakable evidence showing that the condition preexisted service. The Veteran's current diagnosis of congenital club feet was not noted at entry into service, allowing the presumption of soundness to apply. Service connection is therefore warranted.

The Board has reopened the claims for hallux valgus and calcaneal spur of the left foot, but the case is remanded to obtain an addendum to the VA medical opinion regarding whether these conditions are related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right upper extremity. The issues of entitlement to service connection for a non-neurological disability of the right foot and an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for a psychiatric disability are remanded, as is the issue of TDIU due to the interrelated nature of these claims.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, to include PTSD, are related to her military service and the claim for service connection is granted. The claims for low back disability, bilateral foot disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, and allergic rhinitis remain pending.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed because he died during the pendency of his claims, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of these appeals.

The Board has remanded the cases for new VA opinions to address whether the Veteran's preexisting conditions were aggravated by service and if so, whether they are related to service.

The Board has remanded the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to additional delay and need for an addendum opinion regarding the impact of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities on his employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and initial rating of his bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, vertigo (dizziness), and right foot disability due to inadequate opinions in previous VA examinations. The Veteran is required to undergo further examination to provide a nexus opinion regarding these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected status post plantar fasciotomy with inferior calcaneal spurs, pes planus, and arthritis of the bilateral feet is granted a 30 percent disability rating prior to November 8, 2014.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions, including arthritis, gout, a left shoulder disorder, a left foot disability (secondary to a service-connected condition), headaches, and a psychiatric disability claimed as PTSD. The VA is instructed to obtain all relevant records and provide a medical opinion regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis was denied. The Board found that the current 50% disability rating is appropriate from March 9, 2021 onwards.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings, special home adaptation grant, individual unemployability, and aid and attendance/housebound benefits have been dismissed as the appellant died during the pendency of the appeal. The service connection claims are also dismissed due to the death of both the Veteran and his surviving spouse.

The Veteran's petition to reopen her claim for bilateral hearing loss was granted, but the appeal to reopen her claim for bilateral pes planus is denied.,The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions and further development is required.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis was rated at 10 percent from August 14, 2015 to August 31, 2016. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence did not support a compensable rating prior to this date.

The Board has revised the effective date of service connection for bilateral pes planus with hallux valgus and degenerative arthritis from October 2015 to September 11, 2008 due to a clear and unmistakable error in not considering relevant service treatment records.