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

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, panic disorder, anxiety disorder, and adjustment disorder with mixed features, is related to his in-service stressor involving combat activity while serving in Bosnia. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, and left foot disability. Service connection remains denied for right foot disability, skin condition, and stress (PTSD).

The Board has remanded the case due to a new theory of entitlement, which involves service connection for pes planus on a secondary basis. The Veteran's representative asserts that his altered gait from his service-connected knee and back disabilities has aggravated his pes planus.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right hand/thumb disorder, a right shoulder disorder, and bilateral plantar fasciitis. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for adjustment disorder, PTSD, bilateral plantar fasciitis, bilateral pes planus, and thoracolumbar spine disorder have been granted effective from October 4, 2010.

The Board has remanded the cases due to a failure to comply with previous directives from the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (Court). Specifically, the Veteran's employment records need to be obtained and provided by OPM.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Veteran withdrew all pending appeals, including the claims for service connection for bilateral foot disability and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's appeal for VA loan guaranty benefits was denied because his service duration did not meet the minimum requirement of 90 days, and there is no exception to this rule due to a pre-existing disability. The Veteran served only 19 days in December 1968, which is insufficient for eligibility.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right knee and hip replacements, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since June 28, 2015.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable disability rating for hemorrhoids has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to the promulgation of a decision.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen claims for service connection for right heel spur, left foot disability, and lumbar spine disability. The Board finds that these claims are granted.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus did not meet the criteria for a TDIU rating, as his disability was not of such severity to preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral foot and ankle disabilities, as secondary to his service-connected knee disability due to a lack of compliance with prior remand directives.

The Board has remanded several claims for increased ratings and an earlier effective date due to deficiencies in the VA examinations and missing medical records. The Veteran's left knee disability, lumbar spine apophysis, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and bilateral pes planus with hind foot valgus, bunion formation, and degenerative arthritis are all subject to further review.

The Board has ordered a remand for the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral ankle, foot, hip, and shoulder disabilities due to inadequate opinions in previous VA examinations. The AOJ should request an addendum opinion regarding the nature and etiology of these disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction, hypothyroidism disability, and bilateral foot disabilities due to potential herbicide agent exposure in Korea. The case will be returned to the AOJ after verifying the Veteran's claimed exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to establish and maintain substantially gainful employment, warranting a grant of TDIU.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus and acquired psychiatric disorder have been granted. The increased rating for bilateral pes planus has also been granted, but only up to a certain point in time. Service connection for the psychiatric condition is established, with some issues related to TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for a TDIU prior to December 1, 2015. The issue of entitlement to a 10 percent rating under 38 C.F.R. � 3.324 is also REMANDED as additional development is needed.