Foot (incl. plantar fasciitis, flat feet) decisions — 2022

The claims of service connection for vision impairment, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right foot disability, and bilateral leg disability are not reopened. The claim of service connection for sleep disorder (OSA and/or insomnia) is remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship with service. The claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is also remanded. The claim of service connection for hypotension is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including chronic kidney disease and multiple musculoskeletal conditions, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to January 27, 2021. From that date, his combined disability rating was 100 percent due to the combination of all his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's right foot plantar fasciitis, left foot plantar fasciitis, and left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome are all granted service connection. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and recurrent sleep disability (obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome) are remanded for further review. Further evaluation of the acquired bilateral eye disability is needed.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions including bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, coronary artery disease (claimed as a heart condition), diabetes mellitus, type II, kidney disability, cervical spine disability, back disability, right hip disability, left hip disability, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, right elbow disability, left elbow disability, right ankle disability, left ankle disability, right foot disability, left foot disability, and right knee disability. The Board found no evidence of in-service onset or relationship to service for these conditions.

The Board has granted an effective date of May 25, 2016 for the grant of a 50 percent rating for bilateral pes planus. The decision is based on the Veteran's reports and findings from a June 2020 VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as new and relevant evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claims.

The Veteran's appeals regarding the effective dates and disability ratings for bilateral plantar fasciitis, bilateral flatfoot, and left shoulder strain have been dismissed due to her withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left foot disabilities due to a lack of scheduled DRO hearing.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted for tinnitus, migraine headaches, lumbar strain, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy (both legs), right foot plantar fasciitis, left foot plantar fasciitis, right knee patellofemoral syndrome, left knee patellofemoral syndrome, and chronic left ankle pain. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety disorder) is also service connected.

Service connection for DDD at L2-3 with narrowing and anterior/posterior osteophytes is granted. The claim of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disorder is reopened, and the claim is granted. The claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral pes planus is also reopened.

The Veteran's sinusitis was granted a 30 percent rating from November 30, 2005, to May 13, 2019.,A 30 percent rating for sinusitis was also granted beginning August 1, 2019.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus, finding that it clearly and unmistakably preexisted service and was not aggravated by service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus, finding that his preexisting condition did not increase in severity during active service and thus could not be considered aggravated.

The appeal with respect to the right foot disability is dismissed. The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for left hand, right hand, left ankle, and right ankle disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral heel spurs and plantar fasciitis is being remanded due to inadequate examination. Additionally, the TDIU claim is also being remanded as the Veteran has not provided employment information.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hand and foot disabilities, as well as a skin disability due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran's symptoms of pain, numbness, and tingling need further clarification by an examiner.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension under the PACT Act, but remanded other claims due to incomplete development and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's probable plantar dyshidrotic eczema feet (claimed as dermatitis) covers more than 40 percent of his entire body, and the Board has granted a 60% evaluation for this condition.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 30 percent for flat feet, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not warrant such a higher rating based on the criteria set forth in VA's Schedule for Rating Disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for bilateral pes planus was dismissed due to the death of the appellant.