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

The Veteran's bilateral plantar calluses and pes planus with left foot Morton's neuroma and metatarsalgia were granted a rating of 30 percent prior to December 20, 2019.,From December 20, 2019 to July 4, 2021, the Veteran's condition was rated at 30 percent. From July 5, 2021 onwards, a rating of 50 percent was granted for bilateral plantar calluses and pes planus with left foot Morton's neuroma and metatarsalgia.,Entitlement to an initial compensable rating for epididymitis is remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis was denied as not incurred in service and is not otherwise related to service.,Service connection for an eye condition due to trauma, asthma, lumbar strain, and right hip pain were remanded due to insufficient evidence of a nexus between the conditions and service.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was rated at 10% prior to February 18, 2020 and increased to 30% thereafter. The Veteran's muscle spasms were rated at 10% beginning February 18, 2020.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, back disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability. The claim for service connection for lattice degeneration with retinoschisis (claimed as bilateral retinal detachment) is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee, low back, left foot (including numbness), and right foot disabilities due to new evidence of worsening symptoms.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and MDD, rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to February 11, 2020.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for left ear hearing loss, bilateral pes planus, and a bilateral foot condition other than pes planus due to inadequate medical opinions in the previous VA examinations. The cases are being returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various bilateral foot disabilities due to incomplete examination and opinion, failure to address relevant lay evidence, and lack of adequate consideration of all claimed conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, seizure disorder, and pes planus, prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to May 29, 2013. The Board granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for this period.

The Veteran's appeal is granted for a rating of 50 percent for bilateral foot disorder from March 30, 2018 to October 31, 2018. The reduction in the rating for cardiomyopathy from 100% to 60% effective October 1, 2019 is restored. Service connection for residuals of a right distal tibia and fibula fracture is granted with an effective date of October 20, 2008.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for ratings in excess of 30 percent for bilateral plantar fasciitis and a rating in excess of 10 percent for an anterior trunk scar, as well as his claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for right hip arthritis was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show limitation of motion to a degree warranting a higher rating.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for an eye condition secondary to sarcoidosis has been reopened due to new and material evidence, but the claim remains denied.

The Veteran's calluses and hallux valgus (bunions) are rated at 10% since August 18, 2010. The left foot hallux valgus is rated as 10% from August 18, 2010 to September 21, 2017 and denied for a higher rating after that date. The right foot hallux valgus is also rated at 10%. Bilateral pes planus (flatfoot) are rated at 50% since September 21, 2017 with the possibility of an increased rating in the future. Metatarsalgia and hammer toes of both feet have been granted compensable ratings.

The Veteran's left knee and right foot disabilities have been denied as service-connected.,The Veteran's left foot disability has also been denied as service-connected.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions addressing his lay contentions of in-service injuries and their progression.

The Board has found that additional evidence is needed to determine the etiology of the veteran's claimed disabilities, and thus remands the cases for further development.

The Board denied service connection for a left foot disability, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the Veteran's current condition and his active duty service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, skin condition (tinea cruris), and bilateral flat feet. The claim for right thumb disability is being remanded.,Service connection was not granted as there is no evidence of a current disability or signs/symptoms associated with active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a bilateral foot disability, to include corns on his feet, and for a sinus related disability, to include headaches. The remaining claims of service connection for hypertension, bilateral ankle arthritis, and bilateral knee arthritis have been reopened but denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, metatarsal bone spur on the left foot, and anterior talofibular ligament tear of the right ankle as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected pes planus.