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

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and evaluation of additional foot conditions, including left foot degenerative arthritis, flat foot, plantar fasciitis, and acquired pes planovalgus. The Veteran's service-connected left calcaneus fracture with posttraumatic osteoarthritis is being evaluated.

The reduction of the rating for bilateral pes planus from 50 percent to 30 percent was improper, and the 50 percent rating is restored, effective November 1, 2017. The Veteran's entitlement to a higher rating for bilateral pes planus remains under appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, chronic disabilities related to dentures and gums, hip disabilities, and a stroke, must be remanded due to outstanding in-service medical records and VA medical records not being associated with the case file. The AOJ is instructed to obtain these records and attempt to verify the Veteran's periods of duty as well as status.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and examination, as the VA examinations were insufficient in addressing the Veteran's claims.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding it secondary to service-connected obstructive sleep apnea. The right foot and right hip disabilities are remanded due to lack of a VA examination addressing their relationship to service.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is already established.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and temporary total disability rating due to his right foot disability, GERD, and migraine headache. The RO is instructed to obtain complete service personnel records and treatment records related to the Veteran's National Guard or Army Reserve service, as well as VA medical opinions regarding the etiology of his GERD and migraine headaches.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various conditions, including bilateral lower extremities, cervical and lumbar spine conditions, headaches (cephalgia), right and left knee conditions, shin splints in both legs, and a disability of the right lower extremity. The remand requires additional medical opinions on these claims.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for cervical degenerative disc disease and bilateral heel spurs have been withdrawn. The remaining claims are remanded for further development.,The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for bilateral plantar fasciitis, unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder, scar, left palm, and dermatophytosis are remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis has been granted an increased rating of 30 percent effective December 17, 2013. The appeal for higher ratings before this date is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on statutory housebound status was denied as he did not meet the requirements of having a single service-connected disability rated at 100 percent and additional disabilities independently ratable at 60 percent or more, which would qualify him for SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including posttraumatic stress disorder, major depressive disorder, atherosclerotic heart disease, sleep apnea, and residuals of plantar warts of the right foot, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to February 18, 2014. The Board has granted TDIU effective from February 26, 2010.

The Board dismissed the appeals for earlier effective dates for service connection of right shoulder disability and left upper extremity radiculopathy.,For the entire rating period from July 18, 2018, to April 4, 2018, the Veteran's right upper extremity radiculopathy was rated at 20 percent; for the initial rating period from April 4, 2018, to present, the left upper extremity radiculopathy was rated at 20 percent. The appeals for increased ratings were dismissed as there is no evidence of moderate incomplete paralysis.,The Veteran's low back degenerative disc disease and spondylosis are service-connected, with a grant of service connection based on continuity of symptomatology since service separation.,Service connection was denied for right foot pes planus, left foot pes planus, right hand disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, acquired psychiatric disorder (insomnia and sleep disturbances), erectile dysfunction, and defective vision in both eyes. Service connection was also denied for a right hip disorder.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for plantar warts of the left foot, stomach disability, and rash and skin conditions (claimed as rash located in the groin area) have been dismissed due to withdrawal by the appellant.,The Veteran's right inguinal hernia was not rated higher than 30 percent.

The Veteran's skin disability, diagnosed as prurigo nodularis, is related to her military service and has been granted service connection. The Board also found that the Veteran's bilateral foot, hand, hip, sleep apnea, and GERD disabilities are related to her active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for her bilateral foot disorders, including as due to her service-connected fibromyalgia. The Board found that the current foot disorders are not related to service and are more likely caused by other factors.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for bilateral knee disorders and right Achilles' tendinitis, as well as the claim of service connection for plantar fasciitis. The Veteran's gastritis and lumbar spine disorders are also being remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for further development regarding his right foot conditions, including plantar fasciitis and degenerative arthritis.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus, abdominal strain, and pseudofolliculitis barbae have been granted service connection as their onset or aggravation is linked to active military service.,Service connection has also been established for the Veteran's current diagnoses of bilateral pes planus, abdominal strain, and pseudofolliculitis barbae.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral foot plantar fasciitis, as they are unclear about the etiology and potential aggravation by his service-connected knee conditions.