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

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection of various hand and wrist disabilities, as well as a left foot disability. The case will be returned to the Appeals Management Center (AMC) for further action.

The Veteran's bilateral heel spurs are not rated higher than 10 percent, as the impairment does not more closely approximate moderately severe impairment.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable evaluation for seasonal allergic rhinitis with headaches has been withdrawn and is dismissed.,New and material evidence having been received, the application to reopen claims of service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and left hip disability have been granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left foot disability and increased ratings for various hip and knee conditions. The issues of entitlement to service connection for a neck condition, total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to January 29, 2021, and nonservice-connected pension prior to January 29, 2021 are also remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain, right knee strain, left knee strain, and bilateral plantar fasciitis. The Veteran's conditions are found to be related to his active service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's musculoskeletal disorders, acquired psychiatric disorder, bladder problems, urinary tract infections, and sinus condition. The Veteran is also being asked to undergo a VA examination for his TDIU claim.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left foot disability and bilateral ankle disorder due to insufficient examination findings and lack of documentation.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection and rating increases as well as a claim for TDIU due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and migraine headaches. Service connection is also granted for hip disability, knee disability, bilateral pes planus, and hypertension. The claims for hip disability, knee disability, bilateral pes planus, and hypertension are remanded for additional development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a left foot disability, right foot disability, hypertension, and obstructive sleep apnea due to new evidence received since the last final rating decision in June 2005. The VA will now reconsider these claims.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to a rating greater than 30 percent for bilateral pes planus and gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD) due to outstanding VA or private treatment records, rescheduling of VA examinations, and compliance with legal requirements.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a sinus disability is denied. The initial rating in excess of 10 percent for pes planus of the left foot prior to September 24, 2021 and a rating in excess of 10 percent from September 24, 2021 are also denied. Separate ratings of 20 percent each for neurological abnormalities affecting the right and left upper extremities associated with service-connected degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine since February 3, 2021 are granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus, a bilateral eye disability (claimed as sensitivity to light), and sleep apnea. The evidence did not show any current diagnoses or links between these conditions and active service.

The Veteran withdrew her appeals for all issues, including service connection for sleep apnea and increased ratings for various conditions. The appeal is dismissed.

The Board has granted the reopening of the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and remanded the issues regarding vertigo, bilateral pes planus, right shoulder disorder, asthma, left knee arthralgia, and right ankle condition. The case is being sent back to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for further action.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus and left shoulder strain, finding that the Veteran's preexisting conditions were aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of their appeal.,Service connection granted for tinnitus, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his employment as a chaplain/civil servant with the U.S. Army, and he has not provided sufficient information regarding his current employment status.

The Veteran's disability rating for bilateral pes planus has been restored from 30 percent to 30 percent effective August 1, 2018. The claim of entitlement to an increased disability evaluation is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.