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

The Board has determined that further assistance is needed to obtain the Veteran's service treatment records and to provide her with a VA examination regarding her asthma, right shoulder disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, and bilateral plantar fasciitis. The claims are being remanded for these purposes.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left foot disorder other than pes planus with plantar fasciitis and left lower extremity radiculopathy, finding no evidence of such a condition distinct from his already service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's back condition, bilateral foot conditions (pes planus and plantar fasciitis), and asthma have been granted service connection.,Additional claims for generalized arthritis and acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for left foot and left elbow disabilities, but the issues of service connection for other conditions remain pending.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various disabilities due to outstanding records and the need for VA examinations. The Veteran's appeal is now pending again.

The Board has decided to remand the case for a VA examination and medical opinion regarding the nature of the Veteran's bilateral pes planus, its aggravation status during service, and whether there is clear and unmistakable evidence that the increase in severity was due to natural progression.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis with pes planus and degenerative arthritis should be rated higher than 10 percent prior to April 12, 2021, and higher than 50 percent since. However, due to incomplete records from Dr. Langford, the claim is being remanded for further action.

The Board has granted service connection for Erectile Dysfunction, Sleep Apnea, Bilateral Pes Planus, and Bilateral Plantar Fasciitis as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected Somatic Symptom Disorder with depressive symptoms.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as new and material evidence was not received to reopen the previously denied claims. The Board found that the Veteran did not provide sufficient evidence to establish a nexus between his current conditions and service.

The Veteran's appeal is dismissed for the issue of an increased initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus. The right elbow scar has been granted a 10 percent rating, effective from the date of the decision. Other issues are REMANDED for further development.

The appeal for service connection of a left great toe disability has been dismissed. The appeals for the remaining conditions are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral pes planus, left knee limitation of flexion, and left knee internal derangement due to incomplete service department records and the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a bilateral foot disability and left shoulder disability, as they are inextricably intertwined due to the potential impact on the service connection claim for the left shoulder. The VA must obtain SSA records and provide an addendum opinion addressing whether the preexisting pes planus was aggravated during service and if any other currently-diagnosed foot disabilities had their onset in service or are otherwise etiologically related to service. For the left shoulder disability, the VA must also address whether it is at least as likely as not caused by or aggravated by the bilateral foot disability.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus, left knee disability, and left ankle disability are all remanded for further development. The Board found that the current ratings of 10 percent do not meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left foot disability, finding that it is due to an in-service injury and resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded multiple issues, including the rating for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis and calcaneal spurs, the ratings for scars on the right foot, service connection for diabetes and erectile dysfunction, PTSD disability rating, and TDIU. Additional development is needed to clarify the presence of any co-existing neurologic impairment in the feet.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral ankle disability, a bilateral foot disability, and a bilateral knee disability. The Veteran's testimony about his pain during service and since was considered credible.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was granted service connection as it had its onset in service. The other issues related to the hips, legs, and knees were remanded for further development.

The Board has denied service connection for cervical spine, left hip, right hip, right foot, and left foot disabilities. Service connection was granted for sleep apnea.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are granted as service-connected. The Veteran's right foot disability is also granted as service-connected, but the left foot disability remains denied.