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

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty-to-assist error in the initial rating decision for bilateral pes planus. The Veteran needs to be examined by a podiatrist to determine the full extent of his disability and whether it meets the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is granted service connection.,An effective date of May 3, 2011 for bilateral pes planus is granted.

The Board dismissed the appeal of service connection for bilateral pes planus. Service connection was granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's foot disability is granted, and the appeals for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1151, and DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 are withdrawn.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and the identification of outstanding private treatment records.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his withdrawal of these issues. The petition to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral flat feet is granted, and the issue of TDIU is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for bilateral plantar fasciitis with bilateral pes planus and degenerative changes to the metatarsals bilaterally was denied. The highest available schedular rating of 50 percent has been assigned since September 22, 2020.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left knee patellofemoral syndrome due to inadequate examination results. The Veteran's pes planus was noted at entry into service and did not worsen during active duty, thus denying service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis was rated at 30 percent prior to November 10, 2014. The Board found that the symptoms were not relieved by orthopedic shoes or appliances and thus did not warrant a higher rating.

The Board dismissed the appeal seeking service connection for bilateral flat feet as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened due to the receipt of new and material evidence. The appeals are granted in part, with some issues remaining pending further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right foot disorder prior to January 17, 2016 is dismissed. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for left and right ankle disorders.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and effective dates were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings or earlier effective dates.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA addendum opinion to determine if the Veteran's left foot plantar fasciitis was incurred in or caused by service, specifically considering his routine physical activities during active and Reserve duty.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus resulted in pain on use prior to September 16, 2017. The case is remanded for a retrospective medical opinion.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right foot, left foot, right ankle, left ankle, right knee, and left knee disabilities, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted. The heart disability issue is dismissed. Service connection for PTSD, vertigo, plantar fasciitis, TBI, left wrist, bilateral ankle, bilateral elbow, and bilateral hand disabilities are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for higher ratings for left and right foot disabilities due to inadequate examination reports. The TDIU claim is also in remand status as it is intertwined with the rating claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left wrist and left foot disabilities are not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing a connection between his current conditions and military service. The case is being remanded for further development.