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

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as service-connected due to in-service exposure to herbicide agents. The right knee and left foot disabilities are remanded for further examination, and the chronic heart disability is also remanded.

The Veteran's right and left shoulder acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis are presumed related to his active-duty service.,The Veteran's neck disability, bilateral pes planus, sleep apnea, chronic hypersomnolence, chronic fatigue, chronic diarrhea, chronic memory loss, and mood disorder (due to an undiagnosed illness) may be due to exposure to environmental hazards during his Gulf War service.

The Veteran's stomach disability (ulcerative colitis) is granted service connection. An initial 70 percent rating for PTSD throughout the appeal period is granted. The Veteran's left and right foot disabilities are remanded for further examination and opinion. Service connection for sinusitis and tonsillectomy residuals are also remanded.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an opinion regarding the Veteran's right foot disabilities, specifically his 2007 heel fracture and 2016 metatarsal fracture. The remand is due to the failure of the VA examiner to address these issues as per the May 2022 Board directive.

The Veteran's right foot disability is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination and information about the January 2017 VA examiner.

The Veteran's requests to withdraw the issues of pes planus in excess of 10 percent prior to March 27, 2017 and pes planus in excess of 30 percent from March 27, 2017 to February 6, 2018 have been granted. The Veteran's request to withdraw the issues of pes planus in excess of 50 percent on and after February 6, 2018, major depressive disorder with alcohol use disorder in excess of 50 percent prior to July 16, 2021, and major depressive disorder with alcohol use disorder in excess of 70 percent on and after July 16, 2021 have been granted. The Veteran's request to withdraw the issue of entitlement to TDIU prior to June 25, 2015 has also been granted.,The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a back disability, fibromyalgia, and increased ratings for pes planus and major depressive disorder with alcohol use disorder. The Veteran is required to undergo additional examinations in order to determine the presence and severity of his disabilities.

The Board has determined that the VA medical opinions provided do not comply with the remand instructions and thus, the claims for service connection are being remanded again.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and evaluation due to conflicting medical opinions regarding the Veteran's right knee disorder and left foot disorders. The claims are being returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for additional consideration.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the issues of entitlement to service connection for various foot and ankle disabilities remain unresolved due to additional evidence submitted since the last final decision. The Board has determined that further development is needed before these claims can be decided.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for left and right foot disabilities, as secondary to knee disabilities due to inadequate VA examination reports.

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

The Board has ordered a remand for the Veteran's claims of service connection for right and left foot disabilities due to incomplete follow-up on previous VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his medical records.

For the period prior to January 23, 2016, the Veteran's left ankle sprain was manifested by moderate limitation of motion. Since January 23, 2016, his left ankle sprain has been characterized by marked limitation of motion.,Since October 14, 2020, the Veteran's left foot disability has been characterized as moderately severe.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an addendum opinion from the VA examiner regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral pes planus clearly and unmistakably existed prior to service, if so, whether it was aggravated by service or due to natural progression, and if not, whether it is at least as likely as not caused by trauma during in-service training.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's bilateral foot disorder and other diagnosed foot disorders. The Veteran needs a VA examination to determine if his current foot conditions are related to service, including jumping and survival training.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left and right plantar fasciitis, as well as other disabilities including ankle sprain, lumbar disc disease, knee instability, cervical spine degenerative disc disease, radiculopathy of the lower and upper extremities, and a scar from surgery, have been granted. The ratings assigned are based on the severity of each condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his back condition and bilateral foot radiculopathy, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since June 21, 2018. The Board has granted a TDIU effective from that date.

The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to service connection for erectile dysfunction, finding that a VA opinion is needed regarding whether it is at least as likely as not proximately due to or aggravated by any service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus did not begin during service and is not related to any in-service injury or disease. The claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus is denied.