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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus was incurred during his active duty service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis was incurred during military service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's right foot plantar fasciitis was reduced from a 30% to a 10% disability rating, effective November 1, 2018.,The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve was reduced from a 20% to a 10% disability rating, effective November 1, 2018.,The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve was reduced from a 10% to a noncompensable disability rating, effective November 1, 2018.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right foot disability and entitlement to TDIU, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease related to the claimed conditions. The Board also found that the Veteran did not meet the schedular requirements for TDIU.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for right ankle, left ankle, right foot, and left foot disabilities due to lack of VA examination.,For erectile dysfunction, an addendum opinion is needed to determine if it is caused by a disease or injury in service or aggravated by any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis is currently rated at 30 percent effective June 24, 2019.,The Veteran's service-connected lumbar strain is currently rated at 20 percent.,The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent after March 1, 2017, and 50 percent prior to that date.,The Veteran's service-connected TBI is not entitled to a compensable rating.,The Veteran's service-connected headaches are currently rated as 30 percent effective March 3, 2017.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a low back disability, hypertension, right foot and left foot disabilities, and hip disabilities. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional development due to missing VA treatment records and potential SSA disability benefits records. The Veteran is also required to undergo further medical examinations related to his knee, hip, back, neck, arthritis, foot, diabetes, peripheral neuropathy, erectile dysfunction, eye, lung, and hearing loss conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis is rated at a 30 percent disability rating since July 18, 2010.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus due to insufficient reasoning in the September 2020 decision and unclear nature of his diagnosed condition. The VA examiner is requested to provide an addendum opinion addressing the onset, relationship to service, and any aggravation by service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right knee and right foot disabilities, finding that an addendum VA opinion is necessary to address the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for TDIU was remanded due to the Board's failure to provide an adequate explanation for its ruling. The AOJ is instructed to obtain a new medical opinion concerning the effects of the Veteran's service-connected left foot plantar warts and schedule the Veteran for a VA feet/skin conditions examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus was aggravated by his active duty service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for cholecystectomy residuals has been denied.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and bilateral foot disability (plantar fasciitis and pes planus) is remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence.

The Veteran's claim to service connection for a right foot disability, sleep apnea, heart disability (coronary artery disease), and headaches has been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability and left foot disability have been granted, but the increased ratings for these conditions remain pending. The Board found that a higher rating is not warranted for the low back disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a foot disorder, finding that he does not have pes planus or any other foot disorder at any time during his claims period.

The Veteran's right foot plantar fasciitis, low back strain, and left leg neuropathy are all granted service connection. The Veteran is awarded a 10% disability rating for his low back strain prior to July 27, 2015, and the claim remains pending for an increased rating thereafter.

The Veteran's pes planus has been rated based on the severity of his symptoms, with a current rating of 50 percent from May 29, 2018. The right ankle and low back disabilities have not yet been evaluated by VA.,Service connection for a neck disability and bilateral hip disability remains pending as additional medical opinions are needed.

Your claims for service connection for right foot and left foot plantar fasciitis have been fully granted in the February 2020 rating decision. The appeal is dismissed as these issues are no longer relevant.