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

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, bilateral patellofemoral syndrome, a bilateral ankle sprain, a bilateral foot disability, a left fifth toe strain, a deviated nasal septum, residuals of an epididymectomy, chronic headache disability, and generalized anxiety disorder.,The Board found that the Veteran's low back, knee, ankle, foot, and toe disabilities are related to his active service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral foot tendonitis and plantar fasciitis, finding that these conditions are secondary to the Veteran's already service-connected flat feet.

The Board has granted service connection for a musculoskeletal left foot disability and Raynaud's disease (rated as part of the cardiovascular system). The decision finds that the Veteran's current left foot disability was incurred in service, resolving reasonable doubt in her favor.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's left foot disability is related to service or secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine, bilateral ankle, and right foot disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including migraines, asthma, bilateral pes planus, and others, have prevented her from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment since June 26, 2014.

Service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, bilateral ankle disorder, bilateral foot disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is denied.,The Veteran's claims of service connection for these conditions are all denied as the evidence does not support direct service connection.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine, right shoulder, left shoulder, right hip, left hip, and bilateral foot disabilities as the evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and active service.,There was no credible evidence of continuity of symptomatology since service discharge.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus, OSA (to include as secondary to service-connected allergic rhinitis), tinnitus, and GERD have been granted.,Service connection for OSA is established based on the Veteran's credible report of its onset during active service and recurrence since.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional review of new evidence. Higher staged ratings are still at issue.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection as it began during his military service. The nasal disorder, sinusitis, and gastro-intestinal condition are remanded for further examination and opinion. Service connection for a perforated eardrum is also remanded. Service connection for pes planus (flat feet) remains denied.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination of her service-connected conditions. The issues include TDIU, a higher rating for an acquired psychiatric disorder, earlier effective dates for service connection, and various other disabilities.

The Veteran's bowel condition is granted as service-connected. The claims for eczema, bunions, flatfeet, and sleep apnea are remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claims for lordosis, lumbar spine disability, bilateral pes planus, and bilateral foot disability have been denied. The Board found that the preexisting conditions were not aggravated by service.,There is no evidence of a chronic lumbar spine or bilateral foot disability during active service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a left foot disability due to conflicting evidence of record regarding whether he has a current left foot diagnosis of metatarsalgia that is related to his active duty service. A new examination is needed to clarify this issue.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral foot conditions other than equinus deformity of foot with metatarsalgia is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis, left foot hallux valgus and moderate arthritis of the great toe MTP joints, and right foot hallux valgus and moderate arthritis of the great toe MTP joint was denied. The Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating for his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus is reopened, and the case is remanded to determine if his preexisting condition was aggravated by service. The TDIU issue remains inextricably intertwined with the service connection issue.

The Board has remanded the cases due to non-compliance with previous remand directives and the need for additional development, including verification of service in the Reserves and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left ankle disability and initial ratings for bilateral pes planus with left plantar fasciitis and plantar calcaneal spur. The evidence did not support current diagnoses of these conditions.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection for bilateral pes planus. Service connection was granted for tinnitus.