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

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are remanded for further examination to determine their etiology.,The Veteran's right and left foot disabilities are also remanded for further examination to determine their etiology.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no current disability of the feet, and the claim was denied on the basis that there is no evidence of a chronic foot condition during service or since. For his anxiety disorder with TBI, the Board determined that the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders (DC 9413) should be used, resulting in a 50% rating.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral foot disability rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from December 14, 2008, to March 7, 2018. The Board granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has granted a 50 percent rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis, pes planus, and calcaneal spurs since September 4, 2007. The decision is based on pronounced symptoms including marked pronation and extreme tenderness of the feet that were not improved by orthopedic shoes or appliances.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis have been granted service connection. However, the Board has found that a separate claim for a bilateral foot disorder other than pes planus and plantar fasciitis needs to be remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral flatfeet (claimed as pes planus) because there was no evidence of an in-service injury or illness, and his pre-existing condition did not worsen during military service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral pes planus and bilateral hallux valgus, finding that the evidence did not clearly and unmistakably show that the conditions were aggravated by service or incurred during active duty. The Veteran's statements regarding his in-service injuries were deemed unreliable.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for recurrent ankle and foot disabilities, as well as a rating for migraine headaches. The issues are related to in-service parachute jumps.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection of bilateral pes planus, finding that it worsened during active service and is therefore considered aggravated.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of tuberculosis has been denied.,Service connection is granted for diabetes mellitus, with associated peripheral neuropathy affecting the bilateral lower and upper extremities.,Left and right foot disabilities are remanded for further evaluation.,Peripheral neuropathy claims remain pending.,No specific exposure basis was provided in this decision.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his representative requesting the withdrawal of all issues listed on the December 12, 2018, statement of the case. As a result, the Board dismisses the appeal.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions provided do not sufficiently address the Veteran's claims for service connection, particularly regarding whether her current disabilities are related to in-service events or conditions. The issues have been remanded once again.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected patellofemoral pain syndrome and his claimed disabilities, including obesity as an intermediary factor.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disorder, cervical spine degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, right knee chondromalacia, left knee chondromalacia (status post surgery), right ankle degenerative changes (post-fracture), right shoulder degenerative changes, and left shoulder status post resection of the left distal clavicle are all granted. Headaches and sinusitis also received initial rating grants.

The Board has denied a higher rating for pes planus and remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral leg arthritis, bilateral hip arthritis, and TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current disabilities of bilateral pes planus, status post ingrown toenail surgery (claimed as surgery on both feet), and tinea pedis are not related to his active military service. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the case due to lack of substantial compliance with previous instructions and for an addendum opinion regarding the severity of the Veteran's right foot disability.

The Board has denied a higher rating for the Veteran's right ankle disability and has remanded the issue of service connection for pes planus secondary to his right ankle disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination and consideration of the Veteran's lay statements regarding his bilateral plantar fasciitis. The matter is now being returned for further development, including an adequate medical opinion addressing the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected right knee and left ankle disabilities, obesity, and non-service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left heel spurs, right heel spurs, and bilateral plantar fasciitis have been remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining her VA treatment records and a medical opinion regarding the etiology of her conditions.