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

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities contribute in substantial part to his vocational impairment, and he has not overcome the effects of such impairment. VR&E services under Chapter 31 are granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient rationale in the VA examiner's opinion regarding whether preexisting bilateral pes planus was aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that additional development is required for the claims of service connection for a bilateral foot disorder and TDIU due to the need for an etiology opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral foot disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left great toe arthritis and bilateral pes planus due to insufficient opinions on the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's right and left foot pes planus were reopened due to new evidence showing the pre-existing condition did not worsen during service. Service connection for hypertension, right hip disorder, left hip disorder, right foot gout, and left foot gout was denied as these conditions are not related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral pes planus was aggravated by service. The examiner must consider and discuss the Veteran's lay statements of increased pain during service, as well as a clinical study submitted by his representative.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, right and left ankle disabilities, and right and left shin splints as these conditions are not shown to have started during active service or be related to any in-service injury.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for left foot plantar fasciitis was dismissed.,Service connection for right foot plantar fasciitis as secondary to his service-connected right knee injury is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone preclude substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's initial request for a higher rating for right foot plantar fasciitis with metatarsalgia was denied.,A 30 percent initial rating was granted for bilateral pes planus, effective August 31, 2017.

The Veteran's appeal for a disability evaluation in excess of 30 percent for service connected left foot plantar fasciitis with heel strain was dismissed. The appeal for TDIU was granted, and the appeals for increased evaluations for lumbar spine disability and right shoulder tendonitis were remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral foot disability, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities did not begin in service or within one year of separation from active duty.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The TDIU appeal was dismissed due to withdrawal by the appellant. Service connection for bilateral pes planus, hammer toes of both feet, and PTSD were remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a foot disability, other than pes planus, and its secondary conditions (plantar fasciitis, neuroma, enthropathy), finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active service.

The Veteran's claims for higher disability ratings and earlier effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records, Social Security Administration (SSA) records, and a new examination of his bilateral foot disability. The left knee instability claim is also being remanded as it may impact the other claims.

The Veteran's increased rating for a left foot disability is granted at 30 percent, but no higher. The issues of service connection for back and left knee disabilities as secondary to the left foot disability are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral foot disability and low back disability due to incomplete development of records, including private medical records and personnel records from his Reserve service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the Veteran's bilateral pes planus and its relationship to his active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right foot disability and surgical scar, right foot. The decision is based on a finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to active duty.