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

The Board has denied service connection for left and right foot disorders, including as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities. The Veteran's pre-existing pes planus and hallux valgus were not aggravated by her active duty service.

The Board has denied service connection for right hip, left hip, right foot, and left foot disabilities secondary to the Veteran's lumbar spine disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for any of the claimed conditions, including bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The evidence does not establish a current disability or an in-service event, injury, or disease.

The Board has remanded three issues: 1) the issue of entitlement to an initial evaluation greater than 30 percent for bilateral pes planus, 2) service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression), and 3) service connection for left and right ankle/leg disabilities. The Veteran's depression is secondary to his service-connected foot disabilities, but the VA examiner’s opinion was inadequate as it did not address the relationship between pain caused by service-connected disabilities and the Veteran's depression. For the ankle/leg issues, the VA examiner found that the degenerative joint disease of the bilateral ankles is not proximately due or aggravated by the service-connected foot disabilities. The obesity causing the Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the bilateral ankles was also not addressed in the opinion.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, bilateral pes cavus, and right foot osteoarthritis as these conditions did not manifest in active duty service or are otherwise attributable to service.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of right wrist tendonitis and remanded other claims due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's right foot conditions, specifically plantar fasciitis and right achilles tendon insertion traction spur. The examiner is asked to provide an opinion on whether these conditions are related to military service.

The Veteran's left foot disability is currently rated as 50 percent disabling, which is the maximum schedular rating for any of his service-connected left foot disabilities. The appeal to increase this rating to higher than 50 percent has been denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the Veteran's failure to appear for a VA examination, and additional development is needed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral foot disability and restless leg syndrome due to insufficient development. The issues include determining whether these conditions are related to service, including an in-service injury or exposure.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims due to inadequate medical opinions. The main issues are about right knee, bilateral hand, Achilles tendonitis, left knee and foot disabilities, as well as lumbar spine and upper back disabilities.

The Veteran's lung disability and bilateral pes planus have been granted service connection. The claims for anemia and thyroid disability have been denied.,New evidence has reopened the previously denied claims of service connection for lung disability and bilateral pes planus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) because his service-connected bilateral pes planus does not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions due to conflicting medical opinions and missing records. The issues include right ear hearing loss, jungle rot, left foot disability, and vertigo.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral flat foot (pes planus) as the Veteran's preexisting condition did not worsen during his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings due to inadequate VA opinions regarding his left foot, left hip, low back, and left knee disabilities. The claims will be further evaluated with new medical opinions.

The Board has denied service connection for hemorrhoids, and remanded the claims for flat feet and acid reflux due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has determined that new VA examinations are necessary for the Veteran's service-connected left ankle sprain and bilateral plantar fasciitis, as the previous examinations did not account for flare-ups and functional loss.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis is rated at 50 percent from March 25, 2014. The appeal was granted for this rating.

The Veteran's jaw disability, cavity (dental), left foot disability, right foot disability, and cardiac disability are not service-connected.,There is no credible evidence of a current disability related to the Veteran's active service for any of these conditions.