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

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral foot disability and right knee disability have been granted. The issues of service connection for right ankle disability and left ankle disability are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current pes planus was aggravated during service. A new examination is needed.

The Board has remanded the claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral knee disability, and pes planus due to incomplete information and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was rated at 30 percent from August 26, 1993 to June 2, 1999.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including left shoulder disability, respiratory condition, residual scar from excision of benign growth, bilateral eye disability (blurred vision), right foot disorder, and dermatitis. The case is remanded to obtain an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's claim for dermatitis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral foot disability is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and consideration.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral foot disability and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected plantar fasciitis and hallux valgus are now rated at their highest possible schedular ratings, with effective dates of March 28, 2017.,Both conditions were previously evaluated as bilateral stress fractures. The Veteran was granted a noncompensable rating for his hallux valgus and a 50 percent rating for his plantar fasciitis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pes planus preexisted service and was not permanently aggravated by service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for pes planus, low back condition, and buttocks and left leg condition associated with a low back condition due to insufficient examination opinions. The Veteran is required to provide new evidence of aggravation in service and must be examined to determine if his conditions are related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's bilateral hallux valgus and his service-connected conditions. The Veteran contends that his altered gait from his service-connected conditions led to his hallux valgus.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various foot and knee disabilities, as well as a back disability. The VA examinations conducted in January 2020 were deemed insufficient due to their equivocal nature and failure to consider the Veteran's lay observations.

The Board has determined that there has not been substantial compliance with the previous remand directives and requires further development for the cases of bilateral foot disability, right big toe disability, and psychiatric disability.