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

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient development of evidence regarding service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, specifically addressing secondary and aggravation theories. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are believed to be contributing factors.

The Board has remanded the cases due to incomplete information regarding the Veteran's periods of active duty and service treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to new evidence submitted after a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC).

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed bilateral foot disability, and thus denied service connection for this condition. The remaining issues of neck, ankle, knee, and shoulder disabilities are remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for a right ankle/foot disability, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of a right ankle strain and calcaneal spur did not meet the criteria for direct service connection due to lack of evidence of arthritis within one year of separation. The VA examiners opined against the claim based on the absence of medical evidence supporting a fracture in service and no further complaints or diagnoses related to the right foot or ankle until 34 years after separation.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of medical records. The right knee, thyroid, thoracolumbar strain, right foot, left knee, digestive problems, and psychiatric disorder issues are all subject to further review.

The Board has denied service connection for a lower middle back disability, bilateral pes planus, and bilateral hallux valgus as there is no evidence of current disabilities or in-service incurrence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various foot, hip, wrist, hand, leg, shoulder, spine, and hearing loss disabilities due to incomplete information in the record. The Veteran is required to provide authorization for VA to obtain his private treatment records and undergo examinations to determine if any of these conditions are related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain new VA examinations for his back, femur, and knee disabilities due to the inconsistency in the previous examination findings.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and intractable plantar keratoma of the right foot and left foot, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's left foot disability is remanded for further evaluation due to the need for a VA medical opinion and obtaining additional private treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee and bilateral foot disabilities did not begin during service or are otherwise related to in-service injuries or diseases.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for memory loss, swelling in hands and face, spine disability, right knee disability, and right foot disability has been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of continuity of symptoms or a link to service.,Service connection was denied as there is no persuasive medical evidence linking any current disabilities to service.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to service-connected PTSD.,The Veteran's foot disorder (pes planus and plantar fasciitis) is remanded for further examination.

The Board has denied service connection for a unilateral or bilateral foot disorder as secondary to the left foot hallux valgus disability. The initial rating for the service-connected left foot hallux valgus disability is also denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to address the nature and severity of the Veteran's shoulder and foot disabilities. Separate ratings may be warranted for multiple service-connected foot disabilities.

The Veteran's headaches are granted as service connected. The claims for acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral foot disability, respiratory disorder, sleep disorder, and low back disability are remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for plantar fasciitis, finding that it is not related to active service and more likely due to his preexisting pes planus.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate opinions on direct, secondary, and aggravation service connection.

The Board dismissed all issues related to service connection and new and material evidence claims due to the Veteran's death. The appeal is dismissed without prejudice.