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

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral foot disability, finding that there is not sufficient evidence to establish that her current disabilities began during or are otherwise related to her military service.

The Board has granted service connection for right foot tendonitis, right foot pes planus, right foot crush injury, and right foot plantar fasciitis, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not incurred in or caused by the Veteran's reported in-service incident of a 100-pound projectile falling on his right foot.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and initial rating of PTSD, as well as the issues related to right knee and foot disabilities due to incomplete development.

The Board has determined that additional development is required for the Veteran's claims, including exposure to toxic chemicals at Fort McClellan and a VA-contracted examination for his heart disability. The issues of service connection are remanded.

Service connection for a low back disability, to include spinal stenosis is granted. An increased rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD and an increased rating in excess of 30 percent for bilateral pes planus with hallux valgus and degenerative arthritis are denied. The Veteran's GERD is rated at 60 percent.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need to obtain Social Security Administration (SSA) records.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to make a fully informed decision on the Veteran's claims for service connection and an initial compensable disability rating for inguinal hernia, as well as his other disabilities. The Veteran will be provided with another VA examination and asked to submit any additional evidence he may have.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for further examination and review of his claims file, including obtaining complete copies of all relevant private treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral pes planus and pseudofolliculitis barbae due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and thus denied his claim for TDIU.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient development and need for additional opinions regarding the Veteran's bilateral flat feet/pes planus.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hammertoes, hallux valgus, and intractable plantar keratosis due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's left foot disabilities, including service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD. The appeal is also remanded for additional development regarding initial ratings and scars associated with his metatarsalgia.

The Veteran's right foot plantar fasciitis with degenerative arthritis was rated at 10 percent prior to May 8, 2019 and at 20 percent thereafter. The Board found the evidence insufficient to warrant a higher rating for any period.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and increased rating for various disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship of these conditions to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial rating of his right foot disability are being remanded due to inadequate examinations. The left foot disability claim is also being remanded as the examiner did not adequately explain why it was separate from his service-connected right foot disability.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further development. The RO is instructed to obtain all relevant medical records, including those from his National Guard and Reserve service, and conduct additional examinations to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims due to non-compliance with previous directives and the need for updated VA treatment records, as well as authorizations for private providers' records.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient rationale in previous medical opinions and a need for an addendum opinion regarding secondary service connection.