Foot (incl. plantar fasciitis, flat feet) decisions — 2023

The Board has dismissed the appeal for TDIU as there is no longer a claim in controversy. The case is remanded for further development regarding the rating of the Veteran's bilateral foot disability.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection has been decided. The issues of SMC based on aid and attendance or housebound status, compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a right hand disability, and entitlement to a rating in excess of 70 percent for major depressive disorder with generalized anxiety disorder prior to November 7, 2017 have been dismissed.,The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis has been rated as severe flatfoot. The issue of service connection for a left wrist disability secondary to bilateral plantar fasciitis is being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to January 14, 2017 was denied as he had substantial and gainful employment. The Board remanded the case due to a potential issue with service connection for sleep apnea.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disorder, including painful calluses and warts, plantar fasciitis, pes planus, dry and cracked skin on heels, and toenail fungus are found to be related to service. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development.,No effective dates were assigned as the issues do not involve service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis and heel spur syndrome were granted a 30 percent rating from February 18, 2015. The condition was found to be moderate in degree with pain on use and swelling.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to insufficient opinions provided by VA examiners regarding his service connection claims. The issues include hallux valgus of the bilateral great toes and intractable plantar keratosis, bilateral knee disabilities, unequal length of the right leg, hypertension, dry eye syndrome, hemorrhoids, left shoulder disability, and hepatitis C.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was granted a 50% disability rating effective February 4, 2020. Prior to this date, the condition had been rated at 30%. The Board found that from February 5, 2016, but not earlier, the Veteran's symptoms were not improved by orthopedic shoes or appliances.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis are granted a 50 percent disability evaluation on and after November 6, 2018. The appeal for increased ratings prior to November 6, 2018, and from May 16, 2022, is denied.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions including psychiatric disorders, hip disabilities, shoulder and knee disabilities, ankle disabilities, foot disabilities, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, radiculopathy of upper and lower extremities, and sleep apnea due to lack of current diagnoses or evidence linking these conditions to the appellant's military service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, seizure disorder, and bilateral foot disabilities have been granted. The Board found that these conditions are related to his presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Board denied service connection for a right foot disability, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the condition and active service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation prior to July 6, 2015. The Board has remanded several issues for further development.

The Board has ordered a remand for the evaluation of the Veteran's right foot plantar fasciitis and left foot plantar fasciitis with calcaneal spur, prior to March 11, 2019, as well as since that date. The examination should provide a detailed description of the severity of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis and bilateral pes planus, finding that the Veteran's in-service duties likely caused these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development, including obtaining a VHA determination on eligibility for dental treatment and an addendum VA medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed dental disability. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating of Major Adjustment Disorder with Anxiety and Depressed Mood was granted, but the issue of service connection for Bilateral Plantar Fasciitis is remanded due to a lack of VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis and bilateral foot arthritis. The Veteran's initial ratings for pes planus are remanded, as is the issue of TDIU due to service-connected disabilities from June 1, 2013.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities due to inadequate nexus opinions.,Specifically, new medical opinions are needed on direct and secondary theories of entitlement.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for lumbar spine, bilateral lower extremity, and bilateral foot disabilities due to a May 2013 InterStim trial study performed at the Houston VA Medical Center.