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

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability and for a compensable evaluation for bilateral plantar warts. The VA examinations were inadequate, and further evaluations are required to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence.,Service connection will be considered on the merits for all conditions listed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus is service-connected, as there is an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence regarding whether the condition was incurred during active service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral foot disabilities were rated as no worse than moderate prior to June 21, 2019. From June 21, 2019 onwards, they were rated as pronounced.,From February 7, 2021, the Veteran was granted a separate noncompensable (0%) disability rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for further examination and evaluation.

The Veteran's respiratory disability (other than allergic rhinitis) and throat disability have been denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions.,Joint pain, foot disability, gastrointestinal disability, fatigue with light headedness, eye disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and schizophrenia) are all pending further examination and/or opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus, left and right knee disabilities, as well as a claim for TDIU prior to April 24, 2020. The remand requires obtaining additional VA treatment records and an addendum opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral pes planus.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and an addendum opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's feet disabilities and soft tissue inflammation of the feet. The Veteran is not entitled to service connection for her right wrist disability as it was not addressed in this decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development and medical opinions due to incomplete records and inadequate previous opinions.

The Board denied service connection for left and right foot disabilities, including arthritis and pes planus, as well as left and right ankle disabilities (including equinus), finding no evidence of onset or continuity of symptoms during or within one year after service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unemployable from February 5, 2018 to April 19, 2021.,From April 20, 2021 onwards, the issue of TDIU is moot as his combined disability rating is now at 100%.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has not yet determined whether they are well-grounded. The claim of type II diabetes mellitus is granted as new and material evidence was received. The claim of bilateral hearing loss is also granted as new and material evidence was received. However, the claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and major depressive disorder), a left ankle disability, and bilateral flat feet are remanded due to insufficient evidence. The claim for residuals of TBI has been reopened and granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment for the appeal period prior to December 2, 2019.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and osteoarthritis of bilateral knees as secondary to service-connected pes planus.,Service connection for a cervical spine disability, including as secondary to service-connected disabilities (including pes planus), is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examinations and need for further medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder disorder, but remanded the claims for service connection of other conditions including a right hand disorder, right foot disorder, right hip disorder, and low back disorder due to in-service injuries.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment from August 31, 2009 to September 12, 2011.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for an addendum medical opinion regarding the etiology and aggravation of the Veteran's right foot disabilities, including Morton's neuroma, hammertoe, hallus valgus, and plantar fasciitis. The claim is being decided on the merits as new evidence was received since the last denial.

The Board has found that there has not been substantial compliance with its prior remand directives and has therefore ordered the VA to make additional efforts to obtain the Veteran's missing separation examination. The issues of service connection for a pelvic disorder, hypertension, pes planus, and invertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine are all remanded due to the need for further development regarding range of motion estimates. The issue of TDIU prior to September 12, 2019 is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with these other issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left foot and right hip disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The issues are inextricably intertwined, so both must be addressed together.