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

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) and a bilateral foot disability due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations to determine if his conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's gynecomastia was granted service connection, and his bilateral hearing loss is denied. The issue of service connection for a bilateral foot disorder (claimed as bilateral pes planus) is remanded.

The Board dismissed the appeal for an increased rating for bilateral pes planus as the Veteran's representative withdrew their appeal in writing.

The Veteran's plantar fasciitis is currently rated as noncompensable from April 28, 2014 to October 28, 2015. The Board has found that the severity of her bilateral planter fasciitis warrants a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 5276 effective April 28, 2014.,The Veteran's migraines have been rated as noncompensable since August 2019. A new VA examination is needed to determine the current severity of her migraine disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure of proper notification and examination for left ankle and left foot disabilities, including secondary service connection.

The Veteran's left foot plantar fasciitis with arthritis is granted an increased rating of 20 percent, but no higher. The Veteran's cervical spine condition is remanded for a VA examination and medical opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted for left foot plantar fasciitis, left ankle tendonitis, and right lower extremity radiculopathy. The remaining issues are remanded due to the need for additional evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral pes planus was permanently aggravated by his active-duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus is a current disability that had its onset during service and continues to this day, thus granting service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, bilateral hearing loss, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety, depression, psychosis, and PTSD) have been granted. The remaining issues of service connection are remanded.

The Veteran's sleep disorder, variously diagnosed as insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea, is granted service connection. The issues of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral foot disability and hypertension are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral foot condition and left shoulder condition due to inadequacies of previous VA opinions, lack of complete medical records, and need for new etiological opinions.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of cold injury residuals of the bilateral feet due to new evidence, but has denied the claim as there is no probative evidence linking current symptoms to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, a right hip disability, and a right foot disability. The reasons provided include that there was no evidence of hypertension in service or within one year post-service discharge, and it is not related to his service-connected tinnitus.,For the right hip and right foot disabilities, the Board found they did not have their onset during service or were otherwise not related to service.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is still necessary prior to the adjudication of the Veteran's issues, including obtaining medical examinations and opinions for his disabilities.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as at least as likely as not related to her active military service.,The claims for back, right foot, left foot disabilities and GERD are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) as his employment with the United States Postal Service was considered to be in a protected environment and he earned more than marginal income.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus. The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have begun during his military service and has persisted since then.,Service connection for bilateral pes planus, onychomycosis (claimed as bilateral foot disability), left ankle disability, right eye disability, uveitis, and left ear disability are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the claim for TDIU due to insufficient evidence showing that the Veteran is unemployable by reason of his service-connected disabilities. The case must be referred to the Director of Compensation Services for consideration under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b).

The Veteran's appeal involves service connection for bilateral foot and lower extremity disorders. The Board has ordered additional development to address the claims, including obtaining addendum opinions from a clinician regarding the relationship between his diagnosed conditions and service treatment records.