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

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient information regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected right foot disability aggravated her right knee disability. The claim will be reconsidered after obtaining a medical opinion.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for a right shoulder disability and rating of bilateral plantar fasciitis.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for sinusitis prior to June 29, 2015, and a higher rating thereafter was denied.,For the left foot disability, the Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating prior to June 29, 2015, and a higher rating from that date forward was also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for back disability and right foot disability due to his service-connected left ankle disability. The claims are being returned for further development, including a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain the Veteran's complete service treatment records and to ensure proper notification of their unavailability. The issues of service connection for various disabilities are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the severity of the Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis and calcaneal spur. A new VA examination is required.

The Veteran's left and right leg shin splints are not manifested by at least slight knee or ankle disability, resulting in a denial of compensable ratings.,Throughout the period on appeal, the Veteran's GERD has been manifested by pyrosis and reflux, qualifying for a 10 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 7346. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as there are no symptoms meeting the criteria for a 30 or 60 percent rating.,Throughout the period on appeal, the Veteran’s bilateral pes planus symptoms in their totality reflect at worst moderate pes planus, qualifying for a 10 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 5276. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as there are no symptoms meeting the criteria for a 20 or 30 percent rating.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claims of service connection for sleep apnea and residuals of a fracture of the third metatarsal of the left foot. The claim for service connection for a left foot disability is granted, but the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether the appellant's current left foot disability was incurred in or is otherwise causally related to his active service.

Entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral plantar fasciitis is denied. The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis is manifested by pain and extreme tenderness of the heels and arches during periods of prolonged standing and walking, which more closely approximates a 10 percent evaluation.,Entitlement to a compensable rating for eczema bilaterally of the shins is denied. The Veteran's eczema affects less than 5% of his total body area with topical therapy required during the past year.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions did not meet the stringent standard of 'loss of use' for his feet prior to December 13, 2013. Therefore, an effective date prior to that date is denied.

The appeal for service connection for headaches has been dismissed. The appeals for sleep apnea, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and bilateral pes planus have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and bilateral pes planus due to inadequate VA examinations, failure to consider the Veteran's lay statements regarding his in-service injuries, and lack of records from his hospitalization.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an extension of a temporary total rating for convalescence following right foot surgery from January 1, 2017 to February 1, 2017. The Board found that there was no evidence of continued severe post-operative residuals after December 2016 and concluded that the Veteran's symptoms were fully contemplated by her current disability rating.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status was denied as he did not meet the criteria under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s).

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

The Board has ordered remand for additional development regarding the Veteran's claims of service connection for left hip and left foot disorders. The remand is due to incomplete or insufficient opinions from previous VA medical examinations.

Right knee chondromalacia and left knee chondromalacia have been granted service connection.,Bilateral pes planus has been granted service connection based on aggravation during service.

The Veteran's claim for a 100 percent rating for PTSD effective January 7, 2013 is granted. The Board also found that his TDIU claim was mooted due to the grant of a 100 percent rating.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral foot disorder, cervical spine disorder, and right hip disorder. The Veteran's preexisting pes planus was found to have existed prior to service, and the current diagnosed degenerative conditions were not shown to be related to service or aggravation of the preexisting condition.

The Board denied increased disability ratings for service-connected plantar warts and tender plantar callosities of the left and right feet, as they are currently manifested by no more than moderately severe symptoms.