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

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient development and need for additional opinions.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for lumbar spine, right hip, and right foot disabilities due to new and material evidence. However, these claims are still pending as they must be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to increased ratings for his right foot and lumbar spine disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including new VA examinations.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis and degenerative arthritis are rated at 50 percent since May 13, 2017. The skin rash is rated at noncompensable since October 7, 2011.

The Veteran's neurologic abnormality manifesting urinary incontinence is granted as secondary to her service-connected lumbar degenerative disc disease with ruptured disc. The bilateral foot disability claim is remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded several issues for additional evidence, including the claims of service connection for eye disability, dizziness, right knee and left knee disabilities, and a right foot and left foot disabilities. The claim for an earlier effective date is dismissed due to finality.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for further examination. The issues include bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, pes planus, knee disabilities, neuritis, right eyebrow scar, and pseudofolliculitis barbae.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of bilateral pes planus was denied as the proper effective date is November 15, 2011.

The Board has granted service connection for various disabilities, including bilateral foot and knee conditions and lumbosacral degenerative joint disease, all secondary to obesity caused by service-connected PTSD. The Veteran's hearing loss claim was denied.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable. The Board finds a remand necessary to schedule the Veteran for an appropriate VA examination in order to assess the current nature and severity of his service-connected disability.,The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated as 30 percent disabling. The Board finds a remand necessary for a new examination to determine the current nature and severity of his disability, given his reported symptoms since the last examination.,The Veteran contends he has a penile disorder related to military service. A VA examination is needed to determine if such condition had its onset in or is otherwise related to his military service.,The Veteran contends he has bilateral knee disorders related to military service. A VA examination is needed to determine the current nature and severity of his disability, as well as whether it is related to his military service.,The Veteran contends he has a skin disorder of the right foot (onychomycosis) and bilateral pes planus that are related to military service. A VA examination is needed to determine if such conditions had their onset in or are otherwise related to his military service.,The Veteran contends he has bilateral pes planus that are related to military service. A VA examination is needed to determine the current nature and severity of his disability, as well as whether it is related to his military service.

The Veteran's service connection for alopecia was granted. However, her increased ratings for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis and left heel spur prior to October 30, 2020, and since that date were both denied.

The Board has remanded the TDIU claim for the period prior to September 24, 2014 due to insufficient reasoning in the April 2021 decision. The Veteran is already service-connected for PTSD and related disabilities but was not considered for a TDIU during this period.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left lower extremity was granted an increased rating to 40 percent from February 9, 2021 to April 22, 2022. Service connection for bilateral pes planus and gastroesophageal reflux disease is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development and a need for further medical opinion regarding the Veteran's ability to secure or follow any substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease have been granted service connection. However, his claim for bilateral hearing loss has been denied, and the issue of entitlement to service connection for tendonitis is being remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and a right foot disability due to incomplete records and insufficient medical opinions. The AOJ is instructed to obtain all available service personnel and treatment records, especially from the Reserve period of service. They are also directed to schedule VA examinations to address the etiology of the Veteran's right foot disability and his acquired psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's tinnitus, bilateral plantar fasciitis, left ankle disability, and right knee disability are all granted as service-connected.,Service connection for a back disability is denied.

The Veteran's pre-existing bilateral pes planus was at least as likely as not aggravated during his honorable active service, and the Board granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to inadequate examination reports and the need for additional development. The Veteran's claims include back, bilateral hearing loss, bilateral pes planus, hip, knee, and CTS conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral plantar fascitis, finding that the Veteran's current disability is related to his in-service presentation of foot pain.