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

The Veteran's left knee condition was rated as 10 percent prior to June 27, 2014 and denied a higher rating. The current rating for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis and heel spurs is 50 percent effective December 16, 2019.,The Veteran's bursitis of the right shoulder was rated as 20 percent prior to March 29, 2017 and increased to 30 percent from December 16, 2019.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral upper extremity cervical radiculopathy, lumbar spine disability, and lower extremity radiculopathy as the evidence did not show a current disability or etiology related to in-service injury.,The Board also denied service connection for a cervical spine disability, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, left foot disability, and right foot disability due to lack of evidence showing an in-service event, injury, or disease.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability was granted in March 2020. The issue of TDIU prior to February 21, 2020 is denied as the Veteran has maintained substantially gainful employment. The issue of TDIU from February 21, 2020 remains pending.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left foot disability but has remanded the cervical spine issue due to additional development being necessary.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and a need for a thorough etiological opinion considering the Veteran's lay reports of symptoms. The claim will be reviewed again after obtaining additional records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right foot disability, sinusitis, and hemorrhoids due to lack of evidence supporting these conditions. The cases are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues related to various joints and pain conditions, but the Board has determined that further development is needed to determine if any of these conditions are service-connected.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right foot disability, finding that his condition was due to a congenital defect and not related to active military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, bilateral foot disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression) due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for bilateral flat feet, right ankle disability, left ankle disability, and left knee disability due to potential aggravation of pre-existing conditions during service. Additional evidence is needed and an expert opinion is required.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment since November 1, 2012. The Board has granted an effective date of November 1, 2012 for the award of TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his combined disability ratings did not meet the schedular requirements and there was insufficient evidence showing he is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disability and prostate condition are remanded for further development.,The Veteran's prostate condition is remanded to determine if it is related to service-connected diabetes mellitus or exposure to herbicide agents. The TDIU claim is deferred pending the outcome of these matters.,

The Board denied service connection for right and left shin splints, right and left foot disabilities, and right and left ankle disabilities due to a lack of evidence of current diagnoses.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than April 27, 2012, for his total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) because he did not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU prior to that date.

The Veteran's service connection claims for pes planus, left knee disability, right knee disability, and bilateral shin splints have been denied. The Board found that the Veteran's pes planus preexisted his active duty service and was not aggravated by it.

The appeal for the increased rating claim for tinnitus has been dismissed. The appeals for service connection of bilateral foot disability, initial disability rating in excess 30 percent for coronary artery disease, status post myocardial infarction, and compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss are REMANDED.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the issues of service connection for a bilateral foot disability, CFS, fibromyalgia, and degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine. The Veteran's claims are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and evidence.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral pes planus, finding that the Veteran's preexisting condition did not worsen during service. The Board also denied service connection for hepatitis C, concluding that there was no evidence linking it to in-service events or conditions.,The case regarding left knee disability is remanded.