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

The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for various foot, ankle, knee, hip, elbow, shoulder, and low back disabilities. The appeal is being remanded due to inadequate or incomplete previous examinations.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus, bilateral leg disability (peripheral neuropathy), bilateral foot disability, shoulder disabilities, elbow disability, knee disability, and hand/finger disability have all been denied. The Board found that there is no competent medical evidence to support the conclusion that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board denied a separate compensable rating for bilateral heel spurs as related to service-connected bilateral pes planus, finding no specific symptoms attributable to the Veteran's heels spurs and insufficient evidence of functional impairment.

The Veteran's claim for increased disability ratings for bilateral acquired flat feet is denied. The claim of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development and an inadequate VA medical opinion. The Veteran's foot disorder, including pes planus and plantar fasciitis, is being reviewed for service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various knee and foot disabilities, as well as an acquired psychiatric disorder. The issues are being returned to the RO/AMC for further development.,Service connection is not granted for a back disability or right lower extremity radiculopathy (to include hip and ankle) due to lack of evidence showing in-service incurrence or aggravation.

The Veteran's right and left foot/ankle Achilles tendonitis with traction spurs and plantar heel spurs are currently rated at 30 percent and 20 percent, respectively. A separate rating of 10 percent for the foot symptoms associated with both conditions has been granted.

The Board has ordered a remand for an evaluation of the Veteran's bilateral plantar warts due to inadequate previous evaluations.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that this rating is correct.,The Veteran's PTSD with TBI was previously rated at 50 percent prior to December 9, 2013, and at 70 percent thereafter. The RO must address whether a higher rating is warranted for the period from December 9, 2013, to present, excluding periods of temporary total ratings.,The Veteran's left foot pes planus was previously rated as noncompensable prior to May 18, 2018. The RO must address whether a higher rating is warranted for the period from May 18, 2018, to present.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for chronic lumbar strain and pes planus due to inadequate VA examinations, and new evaluations are required.

The Veteran's left foot disability, right knee strain, and degenerative joint disease of the back have been granted service connection. The Veteran's left knee strain has not met criteria for a higher rating. The Veteran's right knee strain has not met criteria for a higher rating. The Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the back prior to January 22, 2020 and in excess of 40 percent thereafter have been granted service connection.

The Board has dismissed all claims as the Veteran died during the appeal process.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right foot disability, finding that the preponderance of evidence did not support a link between his current disability and his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus and a traumatic brain injury. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychological disorder other than PTSD, hypertension, and a disability manifesting in dizziness and loss of balance are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's bilateral foot and ankle disabilities, finding that her current diagnoses are causally related to her time in service. The claims were remanded for further development on other issues.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current disabilities and his service-connected bilateral knee disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of his bilateral pes planus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hemorrhoids, a left shoulder disorder, bilateral metatarsalgia with hallux valgus, and psoriasis with plantar warts. The decision found that new and material evidence was not presented to reopen the claim for hemorrhoids, and that there is no causal relationship between these conditions and active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral foot disorder and TDIU due to new disabilities identified in an August 2020 VA examination. The Veteran will need additional opinions on whether his current foot disorders are related to military service or aggravated by his service-connected conditions.