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

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is found to have begun during service and has continued since then, warranting service connection.,A VA examination is needed to determine the current severity of the Veteran's depressive disorder.,A VA examination is needed to assess the current level of severity of any diagnosed bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus disability.,The etiology of the Veteran's diabetes mellitus and its relationship to his lumbar spine disability need to be determined through a VA examination.,The etiology of the Veteran's hypertension and its relationship to his lumbar spine disability needs to be determined through a VA examination.,A VA examination is needed to determine whether the Veteran's bilateral foot disability is related to service, with consideration given to weight gain as an intermediary factor.,An appropriate VA examination is required to assess the etiology of the Veteran's right elbow disability and its relationship to his lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's appeal of the issues related to his foot disability, tinnitus, DM, and associated conditions have been withdrawn. The claim for service connection for tinnitus has been granted due to continuous symptoms since service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, and the Board finds that he is not unemployable solely due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's right foot disability, including its onset and relationship to service.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is rated at 50% since January 23, 2020. The Board granted a TDIU effective December 14, 2018, due to her service-connected somatic symptom disorder and other disabilities that prevent her from working.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of bilateral pes planus, and the Board dismissed the case.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis with pes planus is rated at 50 percent from December 9, 2019. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a headache disability and TDIU prior to August 12, 2013.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding various service connection claims, including for bilateral hearing loss, left arm condition, lumbar strain, left knee condition, left ankle condition, plantar fasciitis, anxiety condition, migraine headaches, jaw condition, lung condition, bronchitis, pneumonia, cervical strain, right shoulder condition, left shoulder condition, right arm condition, right wrist condition, left wrist condition, kidney stones, right hip condition, left hip condition, and right ankle condition. The appeals were dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his claims.

The Board has denied service connection for GERD, sleep apnea, bilateral pes planus, COPD, and pulled muscles (front and back) as these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by active duty.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bladder disorder and bilateral plantar fasciitis due to insufficient evidence in the record. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of her claimed conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted his TDIU claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a bilateral foot disability, COPD, residuals of a broken nose, and residuals of partially missing left thumb due to lack of available service treatment records. The Veteran was exposed to noise during service but did not seek medical attention.

The Veteran's left and right foot disabilities, as well as his left and right knee disabilities, are all granted service connection. The Veteran's cervical spine and back conditions, as well as his asthma, are remanded for further examination.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral foot arthritis and plantar fasciitis, as well as degenerative joint disease of the left knee. The conditions are considered to have been incurred in service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine strain with degenerative disk disease is now rated at a 60% rating since December 10, 2016. He also has service connection for neck disability, right foot disability, and left foot disability.

The Veteran's combination of service-connected disabilities required care and assistance on a regular basis to dress herself, prepare meals, keep herself clean and presentable, attend to the wants of nature, and protect her from the hazards or dangers inherent in her daily environment. As such, she is granted special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been productive of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50% disability rating. The GERD with IBS has not met the criteria for a higher than 10% rating. The retained shrapnel in the left hand does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. The right foot plantar fasciitis with heel spur and fractured fourth toe is rated as noncompensable.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including whether they are related to her service. The case is being remanded for further action.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral pes planus and calcaneal spurs of the feet as secondary to bilateral knee replacements. The issue of service connection for OSA, secondary to PTSD, is remanded due to inadequate medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the cases due to the need to obtain private treatment records from Dr. Desai, which are relevant to the Veteran's claims for service connection for psychiatric disorder, insomnia, erectile dysfunction, and right eye condition.