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

The Veteran's service connection claims for left and right foot disabilities, heart disability, ankle disabilities, and pseudofolliculitis barbae have been granted. The claim of reopening for a heart disability has also been granted. However, the issues regarding left and right ankle disabilities and left leg disability are still pending as they require further examination.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for a right foot disability. However, service connection is denied as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or chronic condition related to current symptoms.

The Board has determined that there was not substantial compliance with the January 2021 remand directives and thus, the claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and a bilateral foot disability due to insufficient consideration of relevant evidence and lay statements.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of entitlement to Service-Disabled Veterans Insurance (S-DVI) due to incomplete development. The AOJ must conduct a preliminary assessment and obtain further medical explanation from the underwriter regarding non-service-connected disabilities before adjudicating the S-DVI claim.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, right foot disability, and left foot disability due to outstanding records and need for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including degenerative changes of the lumbar spine and dextroscoliosis, cervical DJD, left shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis, bilateral shoulder degenerative arthritis and DJD, bilateral upper and lower extremity radiculoapthy, plantar fasciitis and calcaneal spur, tinea corporis, and varicose veins are all granted. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is rated at 70%.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a left foot disability other than plantar fasciitis due to conflicting evidence regarding whether he has such a condition and inadequate clarification of the examiner's opinions. The case is being sent back for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical evidence and need for additional examinations. The issues include an acquired psychiatric disorder, plantar fasciitis, and obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment prior to October 20, 2020.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations for the Veteran's claimed foot disabilities are inadequate and remands these issues due to the examiner's use of an incorrect standard in his rationale regarding aggravation, as well as his failure to provide a clear explanation for his opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for flat feet and an acquired psychiatric disability have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to conflicting medical opinions and a lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination. The Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability, pes planus, right shoulder and arm disability, and back disability are all being reviewed to determine if they are related to his service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral foot condition and left shoulder condition due to inadequacies in previous opinions and need for additional development.

The Board granted an initial disability rating of 30 percent for status post fracture of the right foot with arthritis and pes planus since May 1, 2019.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional examinations and medical records to determine the current severity of his service-connected disabilities, including left shoulder strain, mild C5-C6 spondylosis, modern bilateral neural foraminal stenosis, L5-S1 herniated disc, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, right foot plantar fasciitis, and left foot plantar fasciitis. The Veteran's claims are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions regarding her left foot and ankle disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis and restored the 50% rating for bilateral plantar fibromatosis/fasciitis from May 17, 2016. The rating reduction of 50% to 30% was not proper.