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

The Veteran's tinea pedis was granted service connection. The claims for PFB, pes planus, medial plica syndrome (claimed as shin splints), PTSD, hearing loss, and tinnitus are remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records and need for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder and pes planus due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran is seeking direct service connection for these conditions, with no indication of any presumption or secondary theory.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for bilateral pes planus and service connection for hallux valgus, hammertoes, degenerative joint disease, and calcaneal spurs as aggravated by his service-connected pes planus. The evidence did not support a higher rating or service connection due to the lack of objective evidence of marked deformity or swelling.

The Veteran's initial claim for a rating for lipomatosis scars has been granted, but no higher. The Board also found that the Veteran’s bilateral pes planus and bilateral hearing loss are not service-connected.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 30 percent for bilateral plantar fasciitis before July 8, 2019, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet or approximate the criteria for a greater rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals of the claims for bilateral pes planus, obstructive sleep apnea, skin cancer, atrial fibrillation, and hypertension.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and bilateral pes planus have been reopened. The claim of nutritional deficiency, skin disorders, anemia, eye disorder, and headaches secondary to hypothyroidism are also being remanded.,Service connection is being remanded for the Veteran’s low back disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings, a higher skin disability rating, SMC based on the need for aid and attendance of another person or due to being housebound, and TDIU are all remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right foot disability and TDIU prior to January 24, 2011. The evidence did not support a finding that her current right foot condition was related to her military service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to inadequate VA examination opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left knee and bilateral foot disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for left upper extremity cervical radiculopathy and carpal tunnel syndrome, right foot achilles tendonitis with spur and plantar fasciitis, left foot achilles tendonitis with spur and hallux rigidus, and degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, status post cervical fusion and discectomy.,The Board has also granted an initial 10 percent rating for sciatic nerve radiculopathy of the left lower extremity.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right heel pain was reopened and granted. A separate rating of 10 percent is assigned for left lower extremity radiculopathy associated with degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine prior to June 29, 2020. The issue of a higher rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy since June 29, 2020 remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected foot disabilities, including bilateral pes planus and hammer toes, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from November 1, 2009. The Board found that the evidence was in equipoise as to whether his service-connected conditions precluded him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's right heel spur and plantar fasciitis have been granted a 10 percent rating, effective from the date of discharge.

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for a bilateral feet disability due to insufficient evidence in the record regarding the onset of the Veteran's current foot disabilities. The Veteran is seeking service connection for his hallux valgus, hammertoes, and right great toe arthritis.

The Veteran's claims for left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, hypertension, sleep apnea, and pes planus are being remanded due to incomplete service records and the need for additional examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his service-connected conditions did not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to issues with her bilateral plantar fasciitis and low back disability. The case will be further developed before a decision can be made.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his right arm, knee, foot, and ankle disabilities due to incomplete records. The Veteran will need to provide information about any private healthcare providers who have treated him for these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral pes planus clearly and unmistakably preexisted service and was aggravated by service.