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

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment from July 30, 2008, to December 4, 2014. The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether his service-connected conditions alone preclude him from obtaining and maintaining such employment.

The Veteran withdrew her claims for service connection for a left foot disability and an increased rating for right foot pes planus and plantar fasciitis with anterior metatarsalgia.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his right heel plantar wart is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for an upper respiratory disorder (claimed as sinusitis) is remanded and requires additional development.

The appeal for bilateral flat feet is dismissed. The claim for asthma has been reopened, but the Veteran's major depressive disorder remains at a 70% rating since March 26, 2015.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder strain, right rotator cuff tendonitis and impingement syndrome, left knee strain, right knee strain, and bilateral plantar fasciitis. The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms began during his active service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral pes planus have been denied as there is no probative medical evidence linking the current conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back, left foot, and right foot disabilities are not related to his military service. The claims for these conditions have been remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral plantar fasciitis, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right hand condition (including carpal tunnel syndrome), and sleep apnea due to issues with the evidence considered and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a left foot disability is dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal for a TDIU prior to December 12, 2018 is denied.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was aggravated by service, warranting service connection. The Board also granted service connection for plantar fasciitis and plantar spurs as they are related to the preexisting pes planus. Service connection for chronic dry eye syndrome is also granted.

The Veteran withdrew her appeals for service connection of a respiratory disorder, bilateral foot disorder (bilateral plantar fasciitis), and bilateral hip disorder. The appeal for service connection of tinnitus has been granted.,The Board remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral foot disorder (bilateral plantar fasciitis) due to insufficient medical evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to a pre-decisional error in not developing the issue of entitlement to a Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU). The Veteran's employment history is unclear, and the TDIU application and employment information were submitted after May 2019.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis with calcaneal spurs was granted, and he is now rated at 30 percent from June 26, 2018.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of left foot, right foot, and right eye disabilities due to lack of evidence showing a link between these conditions and his active military service.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a rating of 70 percent from November 22, 2013. The appeal is remanded for further evaluation on the issues of increased ratings for various conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral foot pain (pes planus) and bilateral ankle pain. The issue of service connection for upper extremity joint pain, including left shoulder, right shoulder, and right wrist conditions, is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral foot condition, PTSD rating, and TDIU due to service-connected disability. The reasons include inadequate opinions on secondary service connection and occupational impact of PTSD.

The Veteran's right foot disability and right leg muscle disability are not service-connected.,His right knee disability is rated at 20% from November 28, 2005, to January 25, 2011; 10% for limitation of flexion and extension from March 1, 2011, to May 20, 2013; and 30% or higher since July 1, 2014.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to errors in assessing the Veteran's employability and work capacity prior to June 20, 2011. The VA is required to schedule a medical examination to address these issues.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and flat feet, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to the Veteran's active duty service.