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

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's pes planus. The claim will be reviewed again with a new medical opinion.

The Veteran's initial rating for service-connected right foot plantar fasciitis was granted at a 10% level from October 14, 2003 to March 13, 2012 and at a 30% level thereafter. The TDIU claim due to PTSD was denied. Service connection for left knee disability (secondary), hay fever, lung condition, and sinusitis were remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral foot disabilities, cervical spine disability, and lumbar spine disability. The evidence did not show an in-service disease or injury that led to these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right foot scars and disability have been denied.,The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation of his service-connected right foot disability has also been denied.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings was remanded due to the need for further development. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence did not support a higher rating for his bilateral pes planus, as it did not meet the criteria for 'pronounced' flatfoot.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral Achilles tendon condition and bilateral calcaneal plantar posterior spurs due to inadequate examination opinions. The Veteran is required to undergo a VA examination to determine if his conditions are related to active duty.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hand disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, right foot disability, and left foot disability as there is no evidence of a current disability or in-service injury that caused these conditions.,Service treatment records did not show any diagnosed hand disabilities. The Veteran's claims are based on his statements regarding observable symptoms during service.

The Veteran's right knee meniscal tear and osteoarthritis, as well as his left knee meniscal tear (prior to September 1, 2019), were granted separate disability ratings. The Veteran's right knee replacement surgery resulted in a 60% rating beginning September 1, 2019. His bilateral plantar fasciitis and foot disabilities were denied initial higher ratings.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral pes planus, finding that the Veteran's preexisting condition did not worsen during his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral pes planus, migraine headaches, and a bilateral upper extremity condition due to further development being needed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and missing VA treatment records. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and TDIU have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of these claims. The remaining issues are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his left leg amputation and traumatic brain injury, meet the criteria for eligibility for specially adapted housing due to permanent total service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis, post-operative left knee injury, hemorrhoids, and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment due to his physical limitations. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these disabilities preclude him from obtaining such employment.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral flat feet, back condition, residuals of heat stroke, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) due to a request from the Veteran's representative for information about the qualifications of VA examiners who conducted compensation and pension examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not limit or prevent participation in the avocational interests of exercise, photography, and music. The Board denied the request for VR&E benefits to purchase a music keyboard, stationary and electric bicycles, and camera as part of his avocational activities.

The Board has remanded the cases of bilateral pes planus, right foot bone spur, and right knee disorder due to inadequate consideration of all relevant evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left foot, hip, ankle, and shoulder disabilities are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left foot, left knee, right foot, and right knee disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's appeals for right knee disorder, left shoulder strain, bilateral pes planus, and left foot hallux valgus have been dismissed. The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to greater than 50 percent for unspecified anxiety disorder, service connection for alcohol abuse, hypertension secondary to psychiatric disorder, and degenerative joint disease of ankles.