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

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, sleep apnea, and bilateral foot conditions are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left foot disorder, including secondary to his service-connected total knee replacement left knee (left knee disability), finding that the condition did not clearly and unmistakably exist prior to service or be aggravated by service. The Board also found no evidence of aggravation beyond natural progression.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including determining the appropriate effective dates and rating decisions.

The Board has remanded the case to issue a supplemental statement of the case addressing all issues related to the claim of an increased rating for residuals, status post repair, of laceration of the left Achilles tendon.

The Board denied an increased rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating due to the severity of symptoms relieved by built-up shoe or arch support.,The appeal for TDIU was dismissed as withdrawn.

The Board has found the VA examinations inadequate and remanded for further development, including scheduling new examinations to address service connection claims for various foot, ankle, knee, and back disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right foot disability, including hammertoes, hallux valgus, and degenerative arthritis of the MTP joint, is etiologically related to service. Therefore, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for bilateral pes planus, degenerative disc disease and anterolisthesis of the lumbar spine, degenerative joint disease and chondromalacia of the left knee, degenerative joint disease and chondromalacia of the right knee, and umbilical hernia with residual scar due to additional evidence or functional loss.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development to obtain an addendum medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's low back disability and bilateral hip disabilities are attributable to service, specifically standing for prolonged periods of time with equipment/gear on.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a right knee disability and bilateral flatfoot disability due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of April 11, 2019.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to missing VA treatment records and further examination.

The Veteran's appeals for initial compensable disability ratings and a higher rating for various foot conditions have been dismissed due to the Veteran's request to withdraw all pending appeals.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current lumbar spine disability, bilateral foot disability, respiratory disability, sleep apnea, acquired psychiatric disorder, or left hip disability that was incurred in or otherwise the result of active service.,For the left ankle disability, the Board finds that there is no evidence of a current disability and the VA examiner's opinion does not support a finding of an injury during service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.,The Board is unable to make a fully-informed decision on these issues at this time because there are outstanding treatment records not currently associated with the claims file that may be pertinent to the claims on appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left hip, bilateral knee, bilateral ankle, bilateral foot, and neck disabilities may be related to his service-connected right hip and lumbar spine disabilities. However, no VA examiner has provided an opinion on this issue. The case is being remanded for further examination.

The Board has found that the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee arthritis and bilateral plantar fasciitis are remanded due to inadequate opinions from the VA examiners. The Veteran contends his conditions are secondary to his service-connected right foot wart disability.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus, left knee arthralgia and chondromalacia, and right knee arthralgia and chondromalacia are all remanded for further evaluation. The Veteran is also advised to submit a statement of the case regarding his claims for increased ratings.

The Veteran's appeals for PTSD, back injury service connection, and evaluation of bilateral plantar fasciitis were dismissed due to the death of the Veteran. The TDIU appeal was also dismissed.

The Board has remanded four issues related to the Veteran's knee and foot conditions, as well as his chronic vomiting syndrome. The appeals are being returned for further development due to the Veteran's failure to appear for scheduled VA examinations.