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

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's left foot disability. The Veteran is asked to undergo a VA examination for an opinion on his claimed condition.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations on multiple conditions are being remanded due to the implementation of the Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act (AMA). The VA is required to adjudicate these issues under the AMA system.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus, finding clear and unmistakable evidence that the preexisting condition did not worsen during service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a back injury has been reopened, but the claim remains denied. The bilateral foot disability and PFB have both been denied. The laceration of left ankle and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) claims are pending and will be remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for a right foot disability, but the claims for neck and back disabilities are being remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right knee, lower back, and left foot disabilities due to their secondary nature to a service-connected right ankle disability. The remand requires an addendum opinion addressing whether these disabilities are proximately due or have undergone any incremental increase in disability due to the service-connected right ankle disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for CAD and service connection for lung disability and left foot disability are remanded due to the need for additional development, including examinations.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is currently rated at 70 percent prior to May 19, 2014 and 70 percent thereafter. The appeal for a higher rating is denied.,Service connection for bilateral pes planus as secondary to service-connected left foot plantar wart removal is granted. The appeal for an increased rating is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to April 22, 2009 is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's preexisting pes planus was aggravated by service and if any currently diagnosed bilateral foot disorder is related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities necessitate the need for regular aid and attendance, warranting special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance. The housebound criteria are dismissed as moot.

The Veteran's left and right Achilles tendonitis with plantar heel spurs, major depressive disorder, and migraine headaches have been granted increased ratings of 20 percent each, effective March 15, 2014.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient consideration of his lay statements and medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the appellant's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include psychiatric disabilities, right hip disability, bilateral knee disabilities, and bilateral pes planus.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for neck, bilateral elbow, bilateral wrist, bilateral knee, bilateral ankle, and bilateral foot disabilities due to inadequate VA examinations and failure to meet McLendon v. Nicholson criteria.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development on the issues of increased ratings for lumbar spine conditions and service connection for a bilateral foot disability.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis with pes planus and bilateral hallux valgus is rated at 50 percent since July 27, 2020. The current rating does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as his symptoms do not warrant a more severe disability level.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for bilateral plantar fasciitis and degenerative joint disease with chondromalacia of the left knee were denied. The maximum rating available under the applicable diagnostic codes was granted.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain a new VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's right great toe amputation and its relation to his service-connected foot disabilities.

The Veteran's tendonitis of the left leg and ganglion cyst of the left wrist have been remanded for additional development.,His spine disability, including spinal stenosis, has also been remanded due to insufficient examination findings.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities not precluding him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.