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

The Veteran's appeal for whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis is dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a headache disorder is dismissed.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis, finding that the appellant's pes planus was noted on induction and not shown to have increased in severity beyond normal progression during his ACDUTRA service. Plantar fasciitis was first manifested after, and is not shown to be etiologically related to, the appellant's ACDUTRA service.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability, a right hip disability, and a bilateral foot disability. The Veteran's symptoms of these conditions were present during her active duty service and continue to this day.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for a right foot disability due to an in-service helicopter landing. The Veteran's STRs do not indicate any right foot injury, but he reports continuity of symptoms since service. A new medical opinion is needed to determine if his current disabilities are related to his in-service injury.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various joints and arthritis are denied as the evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or disease, continuity of symptomatology since service, or a relationship to service.

The Veteran's current left foot disorders, including pes planus, posttraumatic arthritis, and Lisfranc joint injury, are related to a motorcycle accident he sustained while on INACDUTRA. The Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for gout, a foot disability (claimed as trench foot), left ankle disabilities, right ankle disabilities, left knee disabilities, and right knee disabilities due to incomplete STRs and inadequate VA medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate examination and lack of nexus opinions. The Veteran is seeking service connection for hip conditions, flat feet, and peripheral neuropathy, with a contention that his knee disabilities aggravated these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal of service connection claims has been withdrawn due to the appellant's decision.

The Veteran's application to reopen a previously denied claim for service connection for lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma and several other issues were dismissed. The claim of service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD and anxiety, was reopened due to new evidence. Other claims remain pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular thresholds for a TDIU, but VA policy allows for an extra-schedular evaluation if unemployability is due to service-connected disability. The Board denied the claim as there was no evidence of unemployability.

The Veteran's appeal for TDIU was denied due to his failure to submit requested evidence and information. The Board also remanded several service connection claims, including gout, thoracolumbar spine disability, and hypertension.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis and pes cavus residuals have been granted staged ratings. Bilateral plantar fasciitis is rated at 10% from June 29, 2014 to February 20, 2021, and at 30% since November 13, 2019.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a missed VA examination and requests another examination for the Veteran's bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for bilateral pes planus has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew their appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis have been granted service connection, with a current rating of 50%.,PTSD has also been granted an increased rating to 70%, indicating significant impairment in work and social functioning.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is found to be secondary to his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine. His left shoulder condition and bilateral foot disability are denied as not related to service or service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted a 30 percent initial disability rating for recurrent paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, but the issue of an increased rating for plantar fasciitis remains pending and requires further development.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of right leg and foot cellulitis residuals and left foot disability due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbosacral spine, right foot, and left foot disabilities due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran is required to undergo further examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.