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

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus disability is rated at 50 percent, the highest schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 5276. The Board finds that this rating adequately reflects the severity of his symptoms and functional limitations.

The Board denied a compensable rating for the Veteran's service-connected tailor's bunion of the left foot associated with bilateral pes planus, finding that there was no evidence of hallux valgus or bunion symptoms and noting that the Veteran had multiple other foot conditions.

Service connection is granted for left and right foot disabilities.,Service connection is denied for a right eye decreased vision disability.,Service connection is denied for an acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus, finding that it existed prior to active duty and did not permanently increase in severity during active duty.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a disability productive of chronic left leg pain, to include PVD of the left lower extremity, as secondary to his service-connected bilateral pes planus with left neuroma. The Board also remanded the issue of entitlement to an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected bilateral pes planus with left neuroma prior to May 11, 2015.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The right hip disorder and flat feet claims are denied as new evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim, and there was no aggravation of pre-existing conditions. Bilateral hearing loss is granted, but back, left hip, and knee disorders are denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's left foot condition, including pes planus and a calcaneal fracture, is proximately due or aggravated by his service-connected chondromalacia of the left knee. The Veteran needs an updated VA examination and a new opinion on this issue.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen claims for pes planus, kidney disorder (including urinary tract infection), and acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD, anxiety with panic disorder, and depression) is remanded due to the addition of new evidence. The issues are related to service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for initial compensable disability ratings for bilateral pes planus prior to June 3, 2019 and for a rating in excess of 30 percent since that date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient initial adjudication of certain issues and for an addendum opinion on his TBI residuals.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral pes planus, finding that his pre-existing condition did not worsen beyond its natural progression during active service.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his right foot disability and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and employment information.

The Board has granted service connection for a deviated septum and denied an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. The issues of increased ratings for left and right ankle disabilities, bilateral plantar fasciitis, sinusitis, and allergic rhinitis are remanded due to the need for additional medical records.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral foot disability and a left lower extremity venous disability, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing conditions did not worsen during service and there was no evidence of an in-service event or indication that the disabilities were related to service.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis is granted from January 3, 2013 to August 6, 2019. The appeal for a higher rating prior to that date and for the entire period on appeal is denied. Other claims are also addressed.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for further development due to incomplete medical records and need for clarification on the nature of his right foot disability, as well as the progression or worsening of his bilateral pes planus with arthritis.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's right foot disability. The claim must be reconsidered with a new examination and opinion.

The Board denied service connection for a right foot disability, finding that the evidence did not establish a nexus between the current condition and service. The Veteran's STRs were silent for complaints or treatment of any ankle conditions.,Service connection was granted for dermatitis, with the examiner noting a 1974 diagnosis of acne continuing to require topical creams.

The Veteran's appeal for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized expenses incurred at Sanpete Valley Hospital is denied because the treatment was not for an emergency medical condition.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, finding no evidence of in-service incurrence or a link to active service.