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

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral shoulder strain, a bilateral knee disability (claimed as chronic joint pain), a bilateral elbow disability (claimed as chronic joint pain), and a bilateral hand strain. The Veteran's bilateral foot disability is also granted.

The Veteran's service-connected pes planus with degenerative arthritis has not manifested functional impairment equivalent to pronounced flat feet, such as marked pronation, extreme tenderness of plantar surfaces of the feet, marked inward displacement and severe spasm of tendo achilles on manipulation. The Board finds that the evidence does not support an initial rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of pes planus was denied as there were no unadjudicated claims prior to October 30, 2018.

The Veteran's claims for hepatitis C, cirrhosis of the liver, a left knee disorder, and bilateral flat feet were denied. Bilateral flat feet was granted service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbar strain prior to August 5, 2020 and in excess of 40 percent thereafter was denied.,The Veteran's claim for entitlement to total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was also denied due to the lack of a completed VA Form 21-8940.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus on the basis that it was aggravated during active duty, as there is no clear and unmistakable evidence showing its natural progression.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on multiple conditions has been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeals.

The Board dismissed the appeal for the evaluation of posttraumatic stress disorder due to lack of timely filing of a substantive appeal. Service connection and evaluations were granted or denied for other conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current foot conditions, including bilateral pes planus, Morton's neuromas with metatarsalgia status post neurectomy, hammer toes, left foot Charcot's deformity, Mueller-Weiss syndrome, and bilateral neuropathy are at least as likely as not related to his active military service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the Veteran's hallux valgus disabilities do not warrant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent, and his claims for right-hand burns, Achilles tendinitis, DVT, and PED are all denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including a pulmonary nodule and multiple lower extremity radiculopathies, have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation since October 3, 2017. His TDIU claim is granted.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating of 10 percent for left heel fracture is granted, and service connection for right foot disability is also granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left foot disabilities, finding no evidence of a chronic condition in service or since separation from service.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a right foot disability, hypertension, and a cerebrovascular accident (stroke) secondary to hypertension due to inadequate VA examinations.,Additional development is needed as requested in the Joint Motion for Remand.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is now rated at 40 percent, effective from the date of this decision.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for bilateral pes planus, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on pronounced bilateral flatfoot.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and an inadequate VA examination. The Veteran's bilateral pes planus disability is rated at 30 percent, but she contends for a higher rating.

The Board has granted the Veteran's requests to reopen his claims for service connection for asthma, sinusitis, avascular necrosis of the right hip, avascular necrosis of the left hip, cellulitis, bilateral feet, bilateral pes planus (also claimed as tendonitis), radiculopathy, and right shoulder torn muscle. The Board has also remanded these reopened claims to obtain additional medical evidence and provide a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, bilateral heel spurs, and a low back disorder. The diagnoses are related to the now service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased rating have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeals.