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

The Veteran's flat feet have been granted service connection with an effective date of March 17, 1976.,Service connection has also been granted for low back pain, bilateral ankle and knee pain, as well as hallux valgus, Morton's neuroma, and hammer toes. Acne was also granted service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral foot plantar fasciitis with heel spurs was granted a 50 percent rating effective October 14, 2008. Prior to this date, the conditions were rated at 10 percent each.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed for the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, right elbow disability, left elbow disability, bilateral pes planus, left knee disability, and right knee disability. The Veteran will need to provide VA with any outstanding treatment records from VA facilities in Florida and Georgia, as well as undergo examinations to address the issues of service connection.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type II and vertigo have been dismissed.,The appeal seeking an earlier effective date for radiculopathy of the left upper extremity has also been dismissed.,The appeal seeking an earlier effective date for the ascending aortic aneurysm was not granted as there is no evidence showing it occurred prior to May 18, 2015.,The appeals for increased ratings for lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, and pes planus have also been dismissed due to lack of evidence showing they occurred within one year before the date of claim.

The Veteran's appeals for a rating in excess of 10 percent for hypertension and an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss have been dismissed.,His claims for service connection for left arm disorder (previously characterized as left shoulder disorder) and right knee disorder (previously characterized as right leg disorder) have been reopened with the grant of service connection.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and initial ratings for polycystic ovarian syndrome, psoriasis with eczema of the hands and feet, and pes planus with plantar fasciitis have been dismissed due to withdrawal by her authorized representative.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a left ankle disability and respiratory disability due to inadequate opinions in previous VA examinations. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions, which may be related to his military service or environmental exposures.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for pes planus, claimed as flat feet. The claims of entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for asthma and service connection for right knee and left knee disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for appropriate VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Board has determined that new examinations are needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected peripheral polyneuropathy and bilateral foot condition due to changes in their severity since the last evaluations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral foot disability and peripheral vascular disease, right and left lower extremities due to incomplete service records and inadequate VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for further development and medical inquiry, including obtaining STRs from reserve service and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions addressing his lay statements and testimony regarding in-service injuries, as well as his current symptoms. The VA must provide new opinions on whether it is at least as likely as not that any currently diagnosed disabilities are related to active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to procedural issues, lack of adequate medical opinions, and need for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle disability and aggravation of preexisting bilateral pes planus, finding no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus, finding that the veteran's preexisting condition worsened during his active duty period and is now considered aggravated.

The Veteran's right heel spur syndrome with inferior calcaneal bursitis and plantar fasciitis is found to have originated during active service. The Veteran's left sensorineural hearing loss disability is also found to have originated during active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a medical examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral plantar fascial fibromatosis, which is currently not possible in-person. The AOJ should consider virtual options such as telehealth.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disability, specifically plantar fascial fasciitis and connective tissue strain of the right foot, was granted a 30% rating from March 25, 2022. The previous ratings were denied.