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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral foot disability and any current low back disability requires additional development, including obtaining an examination to determine the etiology of these conditions. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for back and bilateral foot disabilities due to insufficient reasoning in previous decisions and the need for additional evidence.

The Board denied service connection for a right foot disability other than heel spurs, osteophytes, and Reiter's syndrome. The Veteran was diagnosed with plantar fasciitis and nonsurgical arthritis of the right foot, but the evidence did not support that these conditions were caused or aggravated by his military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and right foot disability, including flatfoot. The right foot disability is found to be aggravated by his service-connected knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for entitlement to service connection for a right ankle disability, right shoulder disability, and right foot disability due to additional development being necessary.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is granted as service-connected, while his gout and/or generalized arthritis, left leg disability, right leg/right ankle disability, skin disability of the feet, bilateral foot disability, carpal tunnel syndrome, acid reflux, hemorrhoids, poor circulation/venous insufficiency, and headache disability are denied. The Veteran's jock itch is also denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for osteosarcoma, but has remanded several other claims due to lack of evidence or need for further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prior to December 12, 2013 rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral foot disability, including his bunionectomy and pes planus, is adequately addressed by the current schedular rating criteria. The evidence does not demonstrate exceptional or unusual circumstances warranting an extraschedular evaluation.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for his left foot disability, finding that there is no evidence of painful, unstable, or malaligned conditions warranting a minimum compensable rating. The preponderance of the evidence does not support a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and foot conditions (including plantar fasciitis, pes planus, and right tibial tendinitis) are granted. The decision on the foot condition issues is pending further examination.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 20 percent effective February 25, 2013. A 10 percent rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis is granted. Other issues are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation of service-connected residual burns right anterior trunk has been granted. The claims for service connection for neck disability and bilateral foot disability have been remanded.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for gout, cervical spine/right arm disability, low back disability, and bilateral pes planus. The appeals are granted to this extent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating have been granted.,However, the right carpal tunnel syndrome and elbow/back issues are remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and bilateral foot disability due to insufficient evidence.,Service connection was denied for residuals of a cold injury to the feet as there is no current disability shown.

The Board has ordered remand for additional examinations to determine the etiology of any psychiatric disorder and foot disorders, as well as whether these conditions are related to service. The Veteran's lay statements will be considered in determining the onset of his mental health condition.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as the evidence does not support a current neurological disability of the left lower extremity other than sciatic nerve disorder, and his claims for increased ratings are also denied.

The Board has remanded the cases of cervical spine disability, low back disability, bilateral pes planus, and hypertension for additional development. The Veteran's claims are not currently addressed as they pertain to service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in considering separate ratings for plantar fasciitis and calcaneal tuberosities, and to obtain updated VA treatment records.