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

The Veteran's service-connected frostbite with plantar fasciitis of the left foot is rated at 30 percent, and the appeal for a higher rating is denied.,The Veteran's service-connected frostbite with plantar fasciitis of the right foot is rated at 30 percent, and the appeal for a higher rating is denied.,From January 13, 2020, the Veteran's service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis is rated at 50 percent, which meets the criteria for this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral foot disability, pancreatitis, breast cancer and any residuals thereof, and back disability due to incomplete STRs and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left eye disability and bilateral pes planus, finding no evidence of an in-service injury or aggravation that would support these claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD and TDIU prior to November 17, 2020. The Board found that there was no evidence linking the Veteran's GERD to his military service and concluded that he did not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU due to his nonservice-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral foot disorder, finding that his current condition is not related to his military service and does not meet the criteria for direct service connection.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to a failure to comply with an earlier Board remand and inadequate consideration of the Veteran's credibility regarding in-service injuries.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his left foot disability was granted, with the effective date being August 27, 1982. The Veteran received an increased rating to 10 percent from March 26, 2009 and to 30 percent thereafter.,The Veteran's initial claim for service connection for pes planus was also granted, with the effective date being May 1, 2019.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral pes planus and remanded the issues of rating higher than 50% for a mental disability prior to May 3, 2018, and rating higher than 70% since May 3, 2018. The appeal is resolved in favor of the Veteran on the issue of service connection for bilateral pes planus.

The Board dismissed the appeals as to several service connection claims due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the issue of service connection for a bilateral foot disability due to lack of examination and further medical opinion.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and examination, as there are missing service treatment records and private medical records. The Veteran's foot disabilities may be related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for a right ankle sprain and plantar fasciitis. The issue of service connection for ulcers is remanded for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset and etiology of pes planus, including whether it preexisted service or was aggravated by service.

The Veteran is unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities, including bilateral foot pain with plantar fasciitis, hemorrhoids, right lower extremity inferior calcaneal nerve neuropathy, and left lower extremity inferior calcaneal nerve neuropathy. TDIU has been granted throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded for further examination as the VA examiner did not consider the Veteran's in-service exposure to noise.,The Veteran's vascular dementia is being remanded for a VA examination to determine if it is related to his presumed service in Vietnam.,The Veteran's left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome and right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome are being remanded as the VA examiner did not consider the Veteran's exposure to herbicides during service.,The Veteran's left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and bilateral foot disability (pes planus, arthritis, hammertoes) are being remanded for a VA examination to determine if they are related to his service in Vietnam.,,,

The Veteran's pes planus with plantar fasciitis and Morton’s neuroma are rated, but the hallux valgus and hallux rigidus do not meet the criteria for a separate rating.

The Veteran's appeal involves increased ratings for various knee, ankle, and foot disabilities. The Board has determined that new examinations are necessary to evaluate the current severity of these conditions under the revised rating criteria.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient compliance with previous remand directives regarding service connection for a left shoulder disability as secondary to a balance disturbance caused by a service-connected disability. A new VA examination is needed to address whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his left foot disability, result in instability or balance issues and if they are causally linked to his fall resulting in a left shoulder injury.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis and remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral restless leg syndrome and/or peripheral polyneuropathy. The decision on the former issue is final, while the latter requires further examination.

The Board has granted service connection for a left foot disability and remanded the issues of service connection for left knee and back disabilities. The Veteran's left foot disability is found to be related to his military service, but the VA examiners have not provided opinions on whether his left knee and back disabilities are secondary to his left foot disability.