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

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and a new one must be conducted.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis, right foot hammer toe (second toe), and left foot hammer toe (second toe) are not rated higher than the current schedular ratings. The appeal is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if separate ratings are warranted for bilateral pes planus, plantar fasciitis, arthritis, and calcaneal spurs. The AOJ must also ensure that all service-connected foot disabilities are appropriately rated.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and a need for further development. The Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral pes planus is being reviewed again.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various foot and ankle disorders due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is rated at 50 percent effective August 5, 2020. An earlier effective date of August 21, 2018 for SMC at the housebound rate is granted. The rating for PTSD prior to June 22, 2012 remains denied and a higher rating for residuals of left middle finger injury is also denied.

The Board has determined that more contemporaneous examinations are needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, and remanded for earlier effective dates for certain grants.

The Board has remanded the claim for bilateral foot disability, including gout, due to insufficient medical opinions and outstanding VA treatment records. The Veteran's service connection claim is pending.

The Board has found that the Veteran must be afforded VA examinations to determine the etiology of his claimed low back, cervical spine, right knee, left knee, right ankle, left ankle, right foot, and left foot disabilities. The appeal is remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to March 29, 2013, for the grant of service connection of migraine headaches has been denied. The Veteran is currently rated at 50 percent for her migraines.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her service-connected migraine headaches remains denied as there are no additional symptoms or residuals that would warrant a higher rating under the applicable criteria.,The Veteran's claim for service connection of viral meningitis has been denied due to lack of evidence of a present disability and insufficient evidence linking any in-service incident to current symptoms.,The Veteran's claim for service connection of her left hand disability (claimed as a pinched nerve) remains pending, with the issue remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection of bilateral plantar fasciitis has been granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD) is remanded.,The Veteran's claims for left shoulder and cervical spine disabilities are both pending, with the issues remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection of her left elbow injury (claimed as a pinched nerve) remains pending, with the issue remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection of peripheral enthesopathy (claimed as shin pain) is pending and has been remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection of polyuria is pending and has been remanded.,The Veteran's claims for service connection of her lumbar spine disability, skin condition (claimed as tinea pedis and toenail fungus), and skin condition (claimed as acne) are all pending and have been remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral pes planus with right first metatarsophalangeal joint traumatic arthritis, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and other conditions, are severe enough to prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to re-enter the workforce and work in any substantially gainful capacity, considering his level of education, prior work experience, and training.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left foot pes planus, right foot pes planus, and a back disability to include as secondary to pes planus due to his inability to travel for VA examinations.

The Veteran's low back, right ankle, left ankle, migraine headaches, left wrist, and left foot disabilities are granted as service-connected.,Service connection for amenorrhea and dysplasia is remanded due to conflicting evidence.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings for bilateral pes planus and PTSD have been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of these claims.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for bilateral pes planus is being remanded due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors, including the failure to obtain relevant VA treatment records and the inadequacy of the October 2016 VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for further consideration due to new evidence received since the May 2021 supplemental statement of the case. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered by the RO.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including low back disorder, left knee disorder, left ankle disorder, and bilateral foot disorders. The VA examiner's opinions are inadequate as they do not address the Veteran's contentions regarding her work history and post-service symptoms.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development and readjudication due to incomplete service treatment records, including those from her National Guard, Reserve, and Federal active duty service. The AOJ is instructed to attempt to obtain these records and provide new opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, bilateral feet disabilities, and left ankle disability.

The Veteran's right knee and ankle DJD are remanded for additional examinations, and her claim for service connection of a right foot disability other than hallux valgus is also remanded for an addendum medical opinion.