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

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, acne with residual scarring, sleep apnea, tension headaches, left shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis, left knee degenerative joint disease, right shoulder tendinitis, lumbosacral spine degenerative arthritis, chronic right ankle strain, bilateral pes planus, right great toe injury, hypertension, left and right knee instability, and traumatic brain injury, have rendered him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment since June 11, 2012.

The Veteran's tinnitus and left ear hearing loss are granted as service connection due to in-service noise exposure.,The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is remanded for further review.,The Veteran's sleep disorder claim is denied.

The Board has remanded the cases due to outstanding medical records and further development of the claims for coronary artery disease, scars from surgery, and a bilateral foot disability.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection. The case is REMANDED for further action.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral pes planus, patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee, and erectile dysfunction due to a lack of evidence showing an increase in severity during service or any other causal relationship.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis were rated at 10 percent prior to August 27, 2020. The Board found that the symptoms did not warrant a higher rating.,The Veteran's epilepsy was rated at 60 percent. The Board found that the criteria for a higher rating were not met.

The Veteran's right foot plantar wart is being remanded for further examination to assess its impact on his ability to function.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and granted service connection for tinnitus. The remaining issues are being remanded.,Service connection is granted for tinnitus, but the claim for bilateral hearing loss remains denied.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral pes planus as the Veteran's pre-existing condition did not increase in severity during active service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for scar, residual status post right inguinal hernia repair and bilateral pes planus with chronic associated pain in limb were denied. The Veteran was rated at 10 percent for the scar and 50 percent for the pes planus, but both remain unchanged.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of records.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection are being remanded due to the addition of new evidence, including a VA male reproductive examination addressing his erectile dysfunction and prostate claims; a June 2018 VA examination addressing his heart disability; and VA medical records associated in June 2018 which include treatment and diagnosis of his claimed skin disability, diabetic foot examinations, diabetic neuropathy diagnoses, and diabetes mellitus treatment and diagnosis. The Board also notes the Veteran's alleged herbicide exposure during service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining a VA psychiatric examination and issuing a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC).

The appeal for service connection for a bilateral foot disability, to include the residuals of frost bite, is dismissed. The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for left wrist strain and TDIU are remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral foot disability, to include pes planus, finding that his current condition is at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, migraine headache disability, bilateral flatfoot (pes planus), and TBI have been granted. The Board found that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's left knee patellofemoral syndrome with degenerative arthritis is rated at 10 percent, and his instability is also rated at 10 percent. The Veteran's bilateral pes planus remains rated at 10 percent, but the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral foot disorders other than plantar fasciitis, as well as any relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for his right foot disabilities, as well as his residuals from a right inguinal hernia. The Veteran was not granted any new disability ratings.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his right foot/ankle injury and service connection for a bilateral leg disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.