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

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to February 17, 2009. The Board finds that the evidence is factually ascertainable and tends to show that he was unemployable due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and degenerative arthritis of the right ankle, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment as of July 15, 2010. The Board granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's appeals for hearing loss, lumbosacral strain, bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis, and cervical spine condition have all been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for left ankle residuals from an in-service softball injury and bilateral pes planus (flat feet) with orthotics, finding the evidence to be at least evenly balanced.

The Board has granted the petition to reopen the claim of service connection for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis, but denied the underlying claim as it was not incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus, finding that the Veteran's current condition began during his military service and is related to his in-service symptoms.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment prior to February 13, 2018.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU as his service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the VA medical opinions provided are inadequate and requires additional development to address the Veteran's claims for service connection. The issues of pes planus, bilateral foot disability (including degenerative joint disease), left-hand disability (other than left wrist osteoarthritis and left fifth finger sprain), bilateral knee disability, sleep apnea, right scapular pain, and dizziness are all remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further review of his service connection claims, initial rating claim, and TDIU claim.

The Board has decided to remand four issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities: insomnia disorder, gout, pes planus, and left ankle collateral ligament sprain. The reasons for this are that VA examinations were not conducted in a timely manner and there is conflicting information regarding the current severity of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various foot, ankle, knee, and spine conditions due to insufficient evidence in the record. The Veteran is not presumed to have had these conditions during his active service.

The Board has determined that there is insufficient evidence to establish service connection for the Veteran's right knee and right foot disabilities, and remanded the case for further development.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection and has determined that he is entitled to service connection for bilateral foot disabilities, including hammertoes. The evidence supports a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right foot plantar wart, right foot hammertoe, and a condition claimed as right foot deformity due to incomplete service treatment records. The Veteran should be provided with a C&P examination and etiology opinion regarding his conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient verification of the Veteran's periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA). The AOJ is instructed to verify these periods and document all requests and responses in the claims file.

The Board has ordered a remand due to inadequate VA medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's diagnosed foot conditions and his service-connected bilateral foot drop.

The Board dismissed all the claims as they are related to a deceased Veteran.

The appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed. The appeals for lumbosacral strain, a bilateral peripheral nerve condition (sciatica), and pes planus are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sleep apnea, insomnia, hypertension, and flat feet due to insufficient evidence.