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

The Veteran's claim for SMC due to the need for aid and attendance was denied as there is no persuasive evidence showing he required regular aid and assistance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral pes planus is caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities, specifically knee disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left foot pes planus, right knee disability, and low back disability. The preponderance of evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by active service.,The VA examiners provided opinions indicating that there was no direct link between the current disabilities and service.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for various conditions due to potential changes in the Veteran's character of discharge from his period of service. The appeal is not about a presumption, exposure basis, or new and material evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right foot disability, acid reflux, neck disability, and heart disability due to incomplete information regarding her Reserve service duty status.

The Board has remanded the claims for proctalgia fugax, neck disability, left foot disability, hypertension, and bilateral hearing loss due to incomplete verification of service dates. Further examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left foot disability, finding that her current disability is not related to her military service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and MDD with additional conditions like atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, chronic lumbosacral strain, left elbow epicondylitis, bilateral plantar fasciitis, left shoulder tendonitis, bilateral tinnitus, and hypertension, have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment prior to February 19, 2015. The Veteran is now eligible for a TDIU based on his MDD with PTSD alone, which meets the criteria for SMC at the housebound rate.

The Veteran's initial rating for his left foot disability is being remanded due to insufficient evidence. The issue of service connection for a separate muscle group disability is also referred to the AOJ.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the onset and relationship of his chest pain, bilateral foot disability, back disability, and bilateral leg condition to his military service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate opinions from the January 2020 VA examiner. The effective date of service connection is denied as there was no prior claim for right foot tendonitis.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral pes planus prior to January 15, 2021 is denied. The Board found the evidence did not show pronounced disability and thus only granted a 30 percent rating.,Service connection for left ear hearing loss was denied as there was no evidence of current hearing loss related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a skin condition and bilateral foot disability due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, bilateral knee arthritis, bilateral hip condition, and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is remanded due to inadequate nexus opinions.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral foot disability, including pes planus, plantar fasciitis, and hallux valgus, finding that the Veteran's disabilities were not related to her military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset and relationship of his disabilities to military service. The VA will provide addendum opinions on these issues.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and increased rating of the Veteran's right thumb disability, low back disorder, pes planus, deviated septum with enlarged inferior turbinates, congenital nevus, and TDIU due to outstanding VA treatment records and SSA records.

The Board has granted service connection for left foot plantar fasciitis, finding that the Veteran's current condition had its onset during active service and resolving all reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis was denied, with the AOJ increasing the disability rating to 10 percent effective September 24, 2012. The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating on and after December 7, 2020, was also denied.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating of 50 percent or more for bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis was denied effective on and after December 7, 2020.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of his claims.