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

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, claimed as anxiety and depression, and for insomnia has been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a right foot disability has been remanded due to the submission of new evidence since the March 2010 rating decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for further examination and opinion regarding whether the Veteran's pre-existing pes planus worsened during service.

The Veteran's bilateral foot condition, including pes planus, plantar fasciitis, tarsal tunnel syndrome, metatarsalgia, and left-sided hammer toes, was rated at 30 percent prior to September 28, 2017. Effective September 28, 2017, the Veteran's condition is rated at 50 percent. The Board denied an increased rating for the bilateral foot condition as of September 28, 2017.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU on an extra-schedular basis, finding that her service-connected disabilities do not render her unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted the claims for residuals, right ankle sprain and left foot plantar fasciitis, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the cause of death and whether service-connected PTSD contributed substantially or materially to the Veteran's death. The Appellant contends that alcohol abuse was related to his service-connected PTSD, which led to nonischemic alcohol cardiomyopathy resulting in his death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral pes planus was at least as likely as not aggravated during active military service. The claims for service connection for a low back condition and TDIU are being remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus worsened during her active duty service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding various disability ratings and compensation claims, including for bilateral pes planus, knee disabilities, low back issues, hypertension, hand disabilities, prostatitis, and inguinal hernia repair. The Board dismissed these appeals as a result.

The appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, claimed as anxiety and depression, is dismissed. The Board also remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral knee disability, bilateral foot disability, cardiac disability, and residuals of appendectomy.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left knee disability, right knee disability, and bilateral pes planus due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the cause of the Veteran's foot pain, specifically whether it is due to his service-connected pes planus or a nonservice-connected condition like gout. The Veteran needs an addendum opinion from a suitably qualified medical professional.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's lumbar spine, knee, shin splints, and bilateral feet disabilities due to outstanding VA treatment records and need for new examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current left foot plantar warts and his service, as well as potential secondary effects from his service-connected sarcoidosis.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a bilateral foot disorder, including pes planus, has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's left knee disability, including a rating for his left hip and right hip disabilities, as well as bilateral foot disabilities. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU because he is substantially and gainfully employed, with a combined rating of 80 percent from September 15, 2011; 90 percent from December 3, 2013; and 100 percent from April 17, 2019. The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a right foot disability, claiming she injured her right side and foot during training in Okinawa. The Board has not found sufficient evidence to grant the claim due to incomplete records.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on multiple issues is remanded due to incomplete development and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's OSA was diagnosed during active service and the Board finds that the criteria for service connection are met. The issues of increased rating, earlier effective date, and service connection for acquired psychiatric disability (to include depression and PTSD), headaches, and left foot disability (to include plantar fasciitis) are remanded.