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

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's left foot disability is secondary to his service-connected right foot and ankle disability.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 30 percent since December 23, 2019. The earlier effective date of May 1, 2015 for the 30 percent rating assigned for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine has been granted.,The Veteran's left and right shoulder disabilities are each currently rated at 20 percent since the appeal period began on May 1, 2015. The initial ratings in excess of these percentages have not been met.

The Veteran is granted educational assistance at the 100 percent rate due to over 30 continuous days of honorable qualifying active duty service after September 10, 2001 and discharge due to a service-connected disability.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral pes planus, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing condition was aggravated beyond its normal progression during his active military service.

The Board has remanded both issues of service connection for a right foot disorder and a low back disorder due to the need for clarification on whether the Veteran's current conditions are developmental defects or diseases, and if they are related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and total disability due to individual unemployability. The remaining claims, including those related to bilateral hearing loss, pes planus, cervical spine disability, petit mal seizures, TBI, right ankle and knee disabilities, OSA, and an acquired psychiatric disability, are remanded as additional medical examinations or opinions are needed.

The Board granted service connection for a right foot disability, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran incurred this disability during a period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA).

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral foot disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his military service and is more likely due to aging.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development to determine his periods of active duty, ACDUTRA, and INACDUTRA service in the Army Reserve. The AOJ must obtain pay stubs from DFAS to confirm these dates.

The Board denied service connection for skin, bilateral foot, eye, and kidney disabilities other than nephropathy. The claims were not granted as the evidence did not support a direct relationship between these conditions and active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right foot arthritis and depression, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to October 21, 2021. The Board has remanded the case for further consideration.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral pes planus, finding that the disability was aggravated during active military service.

The Veteran's right foot plantar fasciitis has been granted an initial rating of 30 percent since September 17, 2012.,The Veteran's PTSD remains at a 50 percent rating and is being remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has ordered further development to determine the nature and etiology of any current bilateral pes planus, including whether it existed prior to service.

The Board reopened the claim for service connection for a bilateral foot disability based on new and material evidence, but remanded it for further development.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining missing service records and VA treatment records.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and consideration. The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability is being remanded due to inconsistencies in medical opinions, while his bilateral plantar warts are being remanded because of insufficient information regarding the number and size of the warts.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection of her right foot plantar fasciitis as secondary to her already service-connected left foot plantar fasciitis.

The Veteran's initial claim for allergic rhinitis and sinusitis was denied, as the evidence did not show polyps or greater than 50 percent obstruction of nasal passages on both sides.,For GERD, the Veteran's initial rating prior to October 8, 2019 was granted at 30%, but it was remanded from that date onwards due to lack of sufficient symptoms.

The Board has determined that there is insufficient evidence to grant service connection for bilateral pes planus and a respiratory disability. The Veteran's claims are being remanded for further development.