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

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral foot disorder, including bilateral pes planus, plantar fasciitis, and hallux valgus, finding that the Veteran's conditions did not manifest during active service and are not otherwise related to active service.

The Board denied service connection for left and right foot pes planus, as the Veteran's preexisting flat feet did not worsen during his active duty service.,The Board also denied service connection for left and right foot hallux rigidus with degenerative arthritis, finding that there was no in-service injury or disease to these joints.

The Board denied service connection for a right eye disability and bilateral pes planus due to lack of evidence linking the disabilities to service. The Veteran's claims were based on his assertion that he incurred these conditions during active duty, but there is no medical evidence showing an onset or progression of these conditions until after separation from service.

The Veteran's right foot plantar warts are currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board denied a higher rating. The claim for TDIU on an extraschedular basis was granted.

The Board has remanded the issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to April 5, 2021 due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities. The AOJ is directed to consider referral for extraschedular consideration under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b).

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected foot disabilities and to determine if he is unemployable due to his service-connected conditions prior to September 5, 2021.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability, bilateral foot disability, and impaired fertility. The denial was based on lack of evidence establishing an in-service injury or disease that caused these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a higher level of SMC based on aid and attendance, finding that his service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for this benefit.

The Veteran is unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities, including chronic adjustment disorder with alcohol use disorder, right foot disability, left foot disability, right ankle disability, left ankle disability, GERD, and left foot scar. The Board has granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's service-connected right foot and wrist disabilities have rendered him unemployable for the period prior to June 30, 2008. The Board has granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has remanded the claims for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, a left eye disability, and a left foot disability due to additional VA clinical documentation being received.

The Veteran's left foot hallux valgus (bunionectomy) surgery due to service-connected bilateral pes planus was granted a temporary rating of 100% from October 3, 2014, to February 19, 2015.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for various conditions, but has remanded them for further development and examination.

The Board has dismissed all appeals for service connection due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues, including service connection for various foot conditions and other disabilities. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and plantar fasciitis. Service connection was granted for tinnitus due to the Veteran's competent lay statements regarding his in-service noise exposure and current symptoms. However, service connection was not granted for bilateral hearing loss or plantar fasciitis as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis has been granted. The right ankle condition and OSA claims have been denied.,The Board found new and relevant evidence to warrant readjudication of the bilateral plantar fasciitis claim, but not for OSA or right ankle conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for various conditions and service connection claims have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has determined that there was a duty to assist error in the May 2020 decision and requires an additional VA examination for the right foot disability.

The Board has granted service connection for lower back, upper back, and right shoulder disabilities. The Veteran's current conditions are considered to be at least as likely as not related to his military service.,Left foot disability is not addressed in the decision.