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

The Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate disability and foot disability to include plantar fasciitis are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and review of VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of his claims in light of recent changes in rating criteria.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings due to the need for additional VA examination reports and treatment records, as well as consideration of a claim for Total Disability Rating Due to Individual Unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to the appellant's unverified military service records. The AOJ is instructed to verify any service and provide the appellant with an opportunity to submit additional evidence supporting his claim.

Service connection for a sinus disability is granted.,An initial rating in excess of 10 percent for the left foot disability prior to January 15, 2019 is denied. From January 15, 2019 onwards, an initial rating of 20 percent or higher is granted.,Service connection for a bilateral eye disability is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for left foot plantar fasciitis as secondary to the service-connected left hip disability, but has remanded the issue of service connection for right knee disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment for the period from December 26, 2007, to January 4, 2010. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) is granted on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's right and left knee service connection issues have been withdrawn.,Service connection for cervical spine, bilateral upper extremity nerve disorders, right ear hearing loss, and left ear hearing loss has been granted. Service connection for cervical spine arthritis, right and left upper extremity radiculopathy, and right foot pes planus has been denied due to pre-existing conditions not aggravated by service.,The Veteran's left foot pes planus was found to have existed prior to service and did not worsen during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for TBI, HTN, bilateral hip and back disabilities, bilateral foot disability, and left elbow disability due to conflicting medical opinions and inadequate examination reports.

The Board has remanded the cases due to failure of the Veteran to report for scheduled VA examinations and because the contract examiner failed to provide an addendum etiological opinion. The Veteran is advised that if he fails to attend his scheduled examination, the Board may decide the claim based on the evidence of record.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding his claimed disabilities. The Veteran is seeking service connection for various musculoskeletal conditions, including arthritis and injuries sustained during military service in Korea.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder strain and right foot plantar fasciitis have been granted. The effective date for the grant of service connection for left foot plantar fasciitis is set at December 23, 2011.,A disability rating of 10 percent has been assigned for bilateral foot plantar fasciitis since May 26, 2017.

The Veteran's TDIU due to service-connected bilateral foot pes planus is granted, effective May 29, 2019. Additionally, the Veteran's SMC housebound based on her TDIU and other service-connected disabilities is also granted.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The issues of service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, right wrist disability, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and bilateral foot disability are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been withdrawn and dismissed.,Service connection for left knee strain was denied as the evidence does not support an in-service injury or disease, and there is no credible link between current symptoms and service.,Service connection for a bilateral foot disability was denied due to lack of evidence of an in-service injury or disease. The Veteran's testimony about chronic pain during service did not align with contemporaneous records indicating he did not seek treatment for left knee issues.,The Veteran's claim for right shoulder disability, psychiatric disorder (PTSD and major depressive disorder), cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, and radiculopathy was remanded as the evidence is insufficient to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient information regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused or aggravated his obesity, which in turn may have contributed to his obstructive sleep apnea. The VA needs to obtain a more detailed medical opinion on these issues.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral plantar warts was denied as the disability affects less than 5% of his body and does not require any medication. The claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, to include as due to asbestos exposure, was also denied because there is no evidence linking the condition to military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to inadequate VA examinations and lack of contemporaneous medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for various musculoskeletal conditions, including right shoulder impingement syndrome, rotator cuff tendinitis and osteoarthritis; right knee iliotibial band syndrome; recurrent ankle sprain residuals; recurrent hamstring disability; bilateral plantar fasciitis; heel spurs; and hip degenerative arthritis. The appeal for service connection for a left hamstring disability has been withdrawn.

The appeal for service connection for atopic dermatitis is dismissed. The appeals for sinusitis, left knee disorder, left hip impingement syndrome, allergic rhinitis, pes planus, right hand sprain, and right hamstring strain are all remanded for additional development.