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

The Board denied service connection for erectile dysfunction and right foot disability, finding that the evidence did not support a nexus between these conditions and active duty service or service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's late wife provided statements supporting his claims, but they were found to be of low probative value.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient reasoning in the previous decision regarding service connection for plantar fasciitis and pes planus. The Veteran's current foot disabilities are being requested to be evaluated again by a podiatry examiner.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral foot disabilities, including pes planus, are related to her military service or secondary to her service-connected conditions. The case needs further development with new VA medical opinions.

The Board has identified new evidence and is remanding the case for readjudication by the RO in light of this additional information.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for lumbar spondylosis and plantar fascitis due to a lack of STRs and need for clarification regarding in-service injuries.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lower back disability, left ankle disability, bilateral plantar fasciitis (left and right feet), due to conflicting medical opinions and need for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left shoulder disability and bilateral plantar fasciitis are being remanded due to the need for additional evaluations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral plantar fasciitis and left foot spur removal plate installed due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their relationship to service.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability and a bilateral foot disability, finding that the evidence is in equipoise with the claim as to whether these disabilities are related to active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis and remanded the issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU).

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral pes planus is denied as the current rating of 50 percent already reflects the severity of his disability.,Service connection for left Achilles tendonitis is dismissed due to lack of evidence supporting its service origin.,New and material evidence has been submitted to reopen claims for service connection for left knee disability and erectile dysfunction, but these conditions are not currently found to be related to service.,Tinnitus was denied as there is no evidence linking it to service.,Loss of teeth secondary to periodontal disease is not eligible for compensation under VA regulations.,Erectile dysfunction was also denied due to lack of evidence showing its onset during or within a presumptive period following service.

The Board has remanded the cases of meralgia paresthetica, right foot plantar fasciitis, and lower back strain for additional development.

The Board has remanded the cases for obtaining private medical records and for providing a new VA opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability. The service connection claims for left knee, right knee, bilateral pes planus, and bilateral hearing loss are still pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right ankle disability and bilateral pes planus, as well as his claim for TDIU. The AOJ is instructed to obtain additional medical records, determine if a new examination or opinion is needed from the May 2019 examiner, and provide the Veteran with an opportunity to submit information about his employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left foot disabilities, finding that a new medical opinion is needed to address whether these conditions are separate from his already service-connected diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development and consideration, including obtaining an opinion regarding whether his sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected sarcoidosis, as well as addressing the conflicting evidence of arthritis in both feet versus no arthritis found on recent x-rays. The issues include entitlement to service connection for various conditions such as sleep apnea, foot disabilities, TBI residuals, headaches, PTSD, and increased ratings for sarcoidosis and back disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus with arthritis requires further examination and opinion to determine if her current condition is related to service or a pre-existing condition.

The Veteran's service connection claims for right knee, left knee, right hip, and left hip degenerative arthritis, as well as his hammertoes of the feet and a foot disability are all granted.,Service connection is also granted for right bundle branch block. However, gout is denied.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and higher initial ratings are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to unresolved issues regarding the Veteran's bilateral pes planus, IVDS with degenerative arthritis, left knee osteoarthritis, and right knee instability. Service connection for ventral and umbilical hernias is also pending.