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

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder, right-hand and left-hand peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, and bilateral pes planus. The claims for right knee disability, left knee disability, diabetes mellitus, right lower extremity neuropathy, and left lower extremity neuropathy are denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right ankle strain, left ankle arthritis, and service-connected plantar fasciitis with pes planus and degenerative arthritis of the bilateral feet. The case will be returned to the AOJ for additional development.

The Veteran's right hallux limitus is granted as secondary to his service-connected open dislocation of metatarsophalangeal joint right great toe and fractured based of third metatarsal. The issue of an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right foot injury residuals remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current foot condition and his service, including his use of combat boots during active duty.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, depression, bipolar disorder, and other specified disorder was granted. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, drug abuse, left hip disability, right knee disability, and right foot pes planus were dismissed or remanded as appropriate.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to inadequate VA examinations and the need for further medical opinions. The right ankle, bilateral pes planus, back disability (secondary), and left knee disability (secondary) claims will be addressed again.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates due to issues with the assignment of disability ratings, including a need for medical opinion to differentiate between service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection of right knee and right foot disabilities. The VA will need to provide an addendum opinion or a new examination to address the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to issues related to obesity and its impact on erectile dysfunction, gout in feet, cervical disc condition, low back condition, and bilateral pes planus. The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability is alleged to have caused or aggravated these conditions.

The Board found that the February 2016 combined disability rating of 40% was calculated correctly and upheld it.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA opinions regarding whether the Veteran's left foot condition is related to his service-connected knee and ankle disabilities. The case will be returned for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and providing clarifying addendum opinions from a VA examiner or telehealth interview.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right hand disability, left foot disability, and back disability. The appeals have been remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding these conditions.,The Veteran was not provided with VA examinations or medical opinions for his acquired psychiatric disorder and migraine headaches.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives and new VA medical opinions are needed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus, finding that it is not related to his active military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for recurrent right knee, left knee, and left foot disabilities due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus and left/right ankle ligamentous laxity have been granted service connection as secondary to her service-connected bilateral pes planus.,Service connection for gastroesophageal disability (GERD) and intestinal disability (IBS) has been remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus, but the issues of metatarsalgia, left foot neuroma, and mild osteoarthritic changes are still pending as they may be related to or aggravated by the service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities necessitate the need for regular aid and attendance of another person, thus entitling him to special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance. The issue of SMC based on being housebound is dismissed as moot due to the grant of SMC by reason of aid and attendance.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is remanded for a VA examination to determine if it is at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities. His eligibility for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person is also remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left foot arthritis is attributable to service and has granted service connection for this condition. However, the issues of pes planus and hallux rigidus and valgus require further development as they may be related to pre-existing conditions or aggravated by service.