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

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral foot disorder, including plantar fasciitis, plantar wart formation, callous formation, tenosynovitis, distal tarsal tunnel syndrome, and left foot bunion formation. The decision finds that the Veteran's current foot disorders are at least as likely as not related to her service due to strain from wearing boots.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for further development regarding the Veteran's claim for TDIU on an extraschedular basis, given his service-connected foot disabilities.

The Board has granted effective dates prior to June 20, 2011, for the Veteran's entitlement to TDIU and Dependents' Education Assistance (DEA) benefits due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection and increased rating for various conditions, as well as the issue of whether the appellant's bad conduct discharge is a bar to VA benefits. The character of discharge issue must be addressed first.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for plantar fasciitis due to insufficient evidence regarding its relationship to his military service. The case will be returned for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus and related issues are remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his in-service foot trouble and continuing symptoms since discharge.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral feet disabilities, including hallux valgus, hammertoes, flat foot (pes planus), and degenerative arthritis. The decision is based on a finding that these conditions are related to his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's inconsistent statements regarding in-service onset of right foot pain are not credible, and therefore remands for a VA examination to determine if her current right foot plantar fasciitis is related to service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and TDIU have been dismissed as the Veteran requested withdrawal of all issues remaining on appeal.

The Veteran's claim for a separate award of service connection for anxiety disorder is dismissed as the symptoms are considered part of his already service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder. The issues of increased rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis and service connection for tenosynovitis (left hand index finger pain) have been remanded due to inadequate examination reports.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral pes planus and depression, finding that the Veteran's preexisting conditions did not worsen during his service or were otherwise incurred therein.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of his bilateral foot disorders and whether they are related to service. The examiner must address if his pre-existing pes planus was aggravated by military service, if his gout is related to in-service complaints, and if it is secondary to any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death during the appeal process.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for PTSD and an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss have been dismissed. The Board has remanded the remaining issues of service connection for hypertension, sleep apnea, right ankle disability, left ankle disability, right foot disability (other than right lower extremity neuropathy), left foot disability (other than left lower extremity neuropathy), and migraine headaches.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral flat feet and bilateral knee disability, finding no probative medical evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's right and left foot disabilities are currently rated at 30 percent each, but the Board found no evidence of loss of use of either foot. The Veteran's hypertension is also rated at 30 percent.,The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a TDIU prior to December 28, 2017.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus has been granted. The Board also remanded the issue of entitlement to service connection for a foot and/or ankle disability other than pes planus, finding that additional development is needed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment since September 12, 2019.

The Veteran's appeal seeking service connection for a right shoulder injury is dismissed. Service connection for residuals of traumatic brain injury and right foot disability are granted. The issue of service connection for left foot disability is remanded.