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

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the Veteran's pes planus and its aggravation during service. Additional evidence is needed, including updated treatment records.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection of bilateral pes planus and has remanded it for further development.

The Veteran's hypertension and cataracts have been granted service connection. The respiratory disorder, sleep apnea, disability manifested by poor circulation, Bell's Palsy, and bilateral plantar fasciitis have all been denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for Meniere's disease, sinusitis/rhinitis, tinnitus, bilateral ankle disability, and bilateral foot disability due to additional development being necessary.

The Board has withdrawn the appeal for right wrist DJD and remanded other service connection claims due to new evidence or changes in circumstances.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee disabilities, bilateral foot disabilities (including acquired pes planus, plantar fasciitis, metatarsalgia with callus formation, and hallux valgus), and a lower back disability. The Veteran's current diagnoses are consistent with her in-service symptoms of pain and swelling in her knees and feet.

The Board has ordered a remand for the Veteran to be provided with an appropriate VA examination to determine the etiology of his claimed bilateral pes planus, specifically whether it is clear and unmistakable that the condition preexisted service or if it is at least as likely as not related to service.

The Board has determined that new examinations are necessary to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral leg and foot disorders, including tinea pedis and pes planus. The previous examination reports were deemed inadequate due to a lack of discussion on tinea pedis and an incomplete reliance on the lack of in-service notation for the disorders.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right foot disabilities, left and right knee disabilities, and low back disability due to inadequate medical opinions. Additional evidence is needed from VA treatment records, and addendum medical opinions are required regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for flat feet, degenerative arthritis of the feet, hypertension, high cholesterol, tinnitus, and urinary problems have been denied as new and material evidence has not been received to reopen these claims.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, obstructive sleep apnea, and schizophrenia related to his low back disability are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has determined that another remand is required to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disability and bilateral foot disability due to in-service exposure to herbicide agents, as well as his service-connected PTSD and hypertension. The VA medical opinions provided were inadequate and need further clarification.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased rating for a bilateral foot disability and TDIU due to insufficient evidence from the last VA examination more than two years ago. A new examination is needed.

The Veteran's dermatitis is granted as service connected. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for left and right foot disabilities.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to provide the Veteran with a VA examination to determine if his current left foot disability, including an old ununited fracture of the proximal fifth metatarsal, had its onset during service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury. The appeal will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is rated at the maximum schedular rating of 50 percent, effective July 22, 2019.,The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and patellofemoral syndrome with degenerative joint disease of the left knee are both currently rated as severe.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded as the combined disability rating does not meet the threshold requirements, and the case should be referred to the Director of Compensation Service for consideration of TDIU.

The Veteran's left foot DJD and calcaneal spur, right ankle DJD status-post malleolus avulsion fracture, right knee DJD, and left knee DJD have been granted initial ratings of 20 percent since April 1, 2011. The Veteran's mild incomplete paralysis of the left (minor) upper radicular group nerves has also been granted a rating of 20 percent.

The Veteran's TDIU claim for the period prior to May 19, 2017 was denied as he had been employed full-time and earned more than the poverty threshold during this time.

The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, as his combination of disabilities prevents him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for traumatic brain injury, chronic headaches, left ear hearing loss, chronic sinusitis, left elbow disability, middle back disability, low back disability, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), dysentery, left hip disability, right hip disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, left lower extremity neuropathy, right lower extremity neuropathy, left foot disability, and right foot disability due to incomplete records from his National Guard service.