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

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him in need of regular aid and attendance or housebound status, thus his claim for special monthly compensation is denied.

The appeal for a separate rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis is dismissed as the issue has already been adjudicated. Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and left shoulder disability are granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for multiple disabilities have been remanded due to the lack of a Statement of the Case addressing these issues.

The Veteran's right foot disability, which included a fractured right foot with dorsal metatarsal sprain, plantar fasciitis, hallux valgus, and hammer toes, was rated as moderate prior to July 24, 2015. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case for referral to Compensation and Pension Service for extraschedular TDIU consideration prior to September 3, 2015. The Veteran's TDIU was granted on September 3, 2015.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral shoulder and foot disabilities due to insufficient medical nexus opinions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her right ankle, left knee, flat feet, thoracolumbar strain (back condition), and sciatic radiculopathy of the right lower extremity have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has denied a compensable rating for left knee disability, limitation of flexion and a rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee disability, limitation of extension.,Service connection for bilateral pes planus is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for left great toe arthralgia and left plantar calcaneal spur, finding that the symptoms began during service and have continued since.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than June 6, 2019 for a higher rating of 50 percent for bilateral pes planus is denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a pending appeal prior to his June 6, 2019 claim and thus could not establish entitlement to an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected shoulder and foot disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right and left foot disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions in the previous VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral foot disability had its onset in service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including skin condition, lumbar spine disability, wrist and thumb disabilities, foot disabilities, ankle disabilities, and knee disabilities. The AOJ is instructed to obtain new medical opinions regarding the nature of the Veteran's treatment for his skin condition, etiology of his back and bilateral hand conditions, etiology of his foot and ankle conditions, and etiology of his bilateral knee conditions.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a left leg stress fracture, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and cervical spine surgery due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's active duty or Reserve service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,Service connection for right ear hearing loss is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability caused or aggravated her obesity, and whether obesity was a substantial factor in causing her right foot disability (other than pes planus).

The Veteran's headaches started during service and continued until his death. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's headaches had their onset in service, and grants service connection for headaches.,Regarding the acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, Anxiety Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder, Schizoaffective Disorder), the Board notes there are several diagnoses present. Adequate opinions have not been obtained that separately address each theory of entitlement and psychiatric disorder that the Veteran was diagnosed with during the period on appeal.

The Veteran's right foot plantar fasciitis, which began during active service and has continued since then, is rated as noncompensable prior to June 18, 2014. The Board found that the symptoms of moderate pain, interference with prolonged standing, and use of insoles most closely approximate a 10 percent rating for this condition.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and ratings related to his right foot, left ear hearing loss, and left knee disabilities have been dismissed due to the Veteran's request for withdrawal of all pending appeals.