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

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and the need for a VA examination. The issues of service connection for psychiatric disability, bilateral knee disability, left foot disability, and bilateral hearing loss disability are still under review.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis of the right foot and left foot due to insufficient evidence. A VA examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral plantar fascitis, finding that there is an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence regarding whether the Veteran incurred a bilateral foot disorder during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his bilateral wrist disorder, elbow disorder, and plantar fasciitis due to missing records and need for a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbar spine disability, bilateral foot condition other than left foot plantar tendonitis associated with status-post callus with hammer toe deformity left fifth toe, vertigo, and fatigue due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is withdrawn. The Veteran's right ankle pain claim is granted, but the respiratory disability and left foot condition claims are remanded due to lack of a current diagnosis.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings for various conditions have been dismissed due to his death. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of these claims as he passed away during their pendency.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings on multiple conditions has been dismissed.,No effective date was granted or changed.

The Board has determined that the VA etiological medical opinions provided are not in compliance with the July 2020 remand directives and thus, these claims must be returned for further development.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral foot disability, including pes planus and degenerative arthritis. The Veteran's current foot disabilities are not considered to have onset in or be related to his military service.,Service connection was also denied for left lower extremity neuropathy and right lower extremity neuropathy, both of which the Board found did not have their onset during service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the issues of increased ratings for pseudofolliculitis (PFB), bilateral plantar fascitis, and right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral flat feet is reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. However, his claim remains remanded as he has not been afforded a VA examination to determine if his current foot disability is related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis (claimed as feet pain) is denied due to lack of evidence showing a relationship between the condition and active service.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee is remanded for further examination and evaluation.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for tension headaches is remanded for further examination and evaluation.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bruxism (claimed as teeth grinding) is remanded to determine if it is related to his service-connected PTSD with unspecified anxiety.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a bilateral foot disability as it is not clear if his current condition is related to service. The VA examiner provided an opinion that the Veteran's condition is less likely due to service, but this opinion was based on inaccurate information.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis and pes planus were granted service connection as they are related to his military service. For the right knee meniscal tear and chondromalacia, a rating of 10% was initially denied but later increased to 20% effective February 1, 2018.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for low back sprain, degenerative joint disease and bilateral plantar fasciitis was denied. For the low back disability, a rating greater than 20 percent prior to September 20, 2021 and to a rating greater than 40 percent thereafter is denied. For the bilateral plantar fasciitis, an initial 30 percent rating is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for pes planus, hallux valgus, and plantar fasciitis. The Board found that pes planus and hallux valgus were pre-existing conditions not aggravated by service, while plantar fasciitis was determined to be a direct service condition.

The Board has denied service connection for lower back disability, right foot disability (including plantar warts), right knee disability, left knee disability, and left elbow disability. Service connection was granted for a coronal suture scar.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral flat feet, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to an in-service injury or event.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, including a VA radiation exposure examination to determine if any current disabilities are related to in-service radiation exposure. The cases of service connection for high blood pressure and COPD remain pending.