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

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The increased rating claims for hip and knee conditions were remanded due to insufficient information regarding the range of motion estimates after repeated use over time and flareups.

The Veteran's claim for SMC at other than the housebound rate was denied as he did not meet the criteria for this benefit during the specified period.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a bilateral foot disability due to conflicting findings in previous examinations and new evidence presented during the appeal period.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral pes planus as it is not related to the service-connected bilateral ankle disability. The left and right ankle disabilities are granted with a 20% evaluation each.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the RO's failure to substantially comply with previous Board remand instructions and legal inaccuracies in their subsequent rating decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral pes planus, headache disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability due to insufficient service records and inadequate medical opinions. The claims will be reviewed again with additional evidence and examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to issues with his hearing officer at a previous hearing, and because of new evidence submitted by the appellant. The Veteran is now required to provide additional evidence supporting his service connection claims.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary to obtain outstanding medical records and provide the Veteran with appropriate VA examinations. The claims for service connection are being remanded.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that his character of discharge was dishonorable and served as a bar to VA benefits.

The Veteran's appeal regarding the retroactive payment for his service-connected pes planus from May 5, 1960 is remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for lumbar spine, joint aches, left hip, right hip, left knee, right knee, left ankle, right ankle, bilateral foot, psychiatric disorder, mitral valve insufficiency and coronary artery disease, hernia disorder, and dental disorders due to the need for further evidentiary development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on loss of use of his left foot, finding that there is no effective function remaining other than what would be equally well served by an amputation with a suitable prosthetic appliance.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a right foot disability due to insufficient opinions regarding whether his current plantar fasciitis is related to service or secondary to his service-connected disabilities, including his right knee disability. The case will be returned for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for a bilateral foot disability and heart disability due to insufficient evidence in some areas, including the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar callosities are rated at a maximum of 50 percent, effective from the date of this decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for additional medical examinations. The issues include heart disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), hemorrhoids, left thumb injury, and right foot disability.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral foot disabilities due to new and material evidence. The cases are remanded for further development, including obtaining VA examinations to assess the severity of his knee disabilities and the nature and etiology of his bilateral foot disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disorder of the bilateral feet and a bilateral foot disorder, to include plantar fasciitis. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by active duty service.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's service-connected left pes planus, finding that his symptoms did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was granted a 50% rating from April 10, 2019. The Board found the evidence at least in equipoise as to whether the criteria for a 50% disability rating are met prior to that date.,Service connection for allergy condition, left hip condition, and low back condition is remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their onset during service.