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

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left foot disability and headaches due to his failure to attend scheduled VA examinations without good cause.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus and other foot disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus to service.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating during the period from November 1, 2005 to May 8, 2016.

The Veteran's bilateral hallux valgus and left foot pes planus disabilities are granted with a 10% rating, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board has granted a TDIU for the period prior to January 4, 2020. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU on an extraschedular basis prior to February 12, 2014 is remanded.

The Veteran's left foot disability is granted as secondary to her service-connected right foot and bilateral knee disabilities. The issues of increased ratings for her bilateral knees are remanded.

The Veteran's chronic kidney disability is granted as secondary to his service-connected right knee arthroplasty. The need for aid and attendance due to multiple service-connected disabilities is also granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of substantial compliance with previous directives and an inadequate VA opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left foot plantar fasciitis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been withdrawn. The Board has dismissed the issues related to right arm tendonitis, left subacromial subdeltoid bursitis, and left shoulder service connection as they were not on appeal. The remaining claims of entitlement to increased ratings for bilateral plantar fasciitis, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and lumbosacral strain are being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting further examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral foot disability, including plantar fasciitis, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease and that any current condition is not related to military service.

The Veteran's left foot disability is not service-connected due to lack of a current diagnosis.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, affective disorder, and polysubstance dependence, is denied as there is no in-service event or injury related to these conditions.,Obstructive sleep apnea was not service-connected due to lack of a current diagnosis.,Residuals of traumatic brain injury were not service-connected due to lack of an in-service event.

The Veteran's appeal of the issue of entitlement to service connection for hypertension is dismissed.,Issues regarding initial ratings for plantar fasciitis with calcaneal spur of both feet and pseudofolliculitis barbae are remanded.

The Board has remanded the issues of increased ratings for the Veteran's right foot disability and compensable rating for pes planus of the right foot. The Veteran's right foot disability is currently rated at 20% on and after October 16, 2015, but no higher due to a combined rating limit. The compensable rating for pes planus was denied before November 18, 2016.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus, finding that there was no increase in severity or aggravation of the condition during active service and thus failing to meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to outstanding VA treatment records and unclear status of other records requests. A new VA opinion is needed regarding whether the right foot disability clearly and unmistakably pre-existed service or was caused by active duty.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, right ankle disability, left ankle disability, bilateral pes planus, and low back disability due to additional development being required.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right foot disability, finding that there was no evidence of continuity of symptomatology since service and concluding that the current right foot disability is not related to an in-service frostbite injury.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and unclear information about his periods of service, particularly regarding deployments. The claims will be returned to the RO for further development.