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

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left foot disability and residuals of TBI.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral flatfoot (pes planus) has not been adjudicated by the AOJ.,Increased evaluations were granted for migraine headaches from December 7, 2014, to February 14, 2019.

From November 1, 2011 to May 11, 2015, the Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis was rated at 10 percent due to moderate symptoms.,From May 12, 2015 to January 1, 2017, the Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis was rated at 30 percent due to severe symptoms.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been granted. The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, low back disability, respiratory condition, sleep apnea, bilateral plantar fasciitis, migraines, and bilateral shin splints are all remanded for further examination and medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his low back condition and bilateral knee conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since May 20, 2008. The Board has granted a TDIU effective from that date.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded to attempt to verify his service in Southwest Asia and obtain any missing personnel and medical records. The Board will then adjudicate the reopened claims based on the evidence received.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of any of the claimed disabilities and therefore, service connection is denied for all issues on appeal.

The Board has granted a 50 percent rating for bilateral pes planus, but the issue of whether a separate rating is warranted for plantar fasciitis remains pending and requires further examination.

The Board has denied service connection for scars and a foot disability, finding no evidence of such conditions during or after service. The claim for sleep apnea is remanded due to inadequate medical opinion.,Further examination and/or additional medical opinions are needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral ankle and foot disabilities, but remanded the issue of service connection for sleep apnea due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected physical disabilities, which have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since July 29, 2014.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral foot disorder, including gout, pes planus, hallux valgus, plantar fasciitis, degenerative arthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis is remanded due to incomplete opinions in the previous VA examination. Additional development is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral flatfoot with plantar fasciitis and calcaneal spurs resulted in a maximum schedular rating of 50 percent as of August 4, 2017. Prior to that date, the disability was rated at 30 percent.,As of August 4, 2017, the Veteran's bilateral flatfoot with plantar fasciitis and calcaneal spurs resulted in pronounced acquired flat foot with associated symptomatology not contemplated by the current rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent prior to June 21, 2002, for service-connected bilateral pes planus. The evidence showed symptoms such as tenderness to deep palpation, slight hammering of the lateral fourth toe on both feet, and a slight hallux valgus deformity in the right foot.

The Veteran's lumbar spine DDD status post lumbar fusion L4-S1 with IVDS is currently rated at 20 percent since June 25, 2022. The appeal remains before the Board as the AOJ did not grant the maximum disability rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in its decision regarding TDIU and DEA benefits, specifically for the period prior to April 4, 2011. The Veteran's service-connected conditions are expected to be reassessed on remand.

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to August 3, 2022, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter for the Veteran's lumbar spine condition. The case is remanded for further development regarding service connection claims for left and right foot conditions and a skin condition manifested by calluses on both feet.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and bilateral plantar fasciitis, finding that there is no evidence to support a relationship between these conditions and active service.

The Board has denied service connection for residuals of a back injury and bilateral pes planus, finding that the evidence does not support a link between these conditions and service.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral foot disorder, including pes planus, Morton's neuroma, metatarsalgia, hammer toes, hallux valgus, plantar fascitis, and degenerative arthritis, based on the evidence showing that these conditions are related to in-service foot pain.