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

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected right foot and ankle disabilities, including a request for increased ratings and an effective date prior to May 3, 2016. The case is also being remanded to consider whether entitlement to TDIU should be granted.

The Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee patellofemoral dysfunction, service connection for hypertension, left knee disability, psychiatric disorder, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and left ear hearing loss are remanded due to inadequate examination reports.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is remanded as the examiner did not address whether in-service elevated blood pressure readings could have been an early manifestation of later diagnosed hypertension.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability is remanded because the VA examiner did not consider objective signs and symptoms of his left knee complaints, including a history of left knee sprain from employee health clinic records.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder is remanded as the VA examiner did not address the Veteran's VA treatment records which show treatment for adjustment disorder, depression, and anxiety during the period on appeal.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis is remanded due to incomplete medical records from his private podiatrist being sought.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss is remanded as VA treatment records are needed to determine if an audiogram conducted by the Veteran's private physician, Dr. N.A.O., around April 2010 exists.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for migraine headaches from September 22, 2014 is remanded as updated employment records are needed to determine missed time due to migraines and the Social Security Administration records have not been obtained.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded as his July 2020 Application for Increased Compensation Based on Unemployability raised this issue.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate examination and conflicting opinions regarding the nature of the Veteran's right foot disability and bilateral pes planus.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to address issues and VA representative withdrawal. The Veteran's cervical spine strain, left knee disability, right knee disability, right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, bilateral pes planus, and vitamin D deficiency are all being reviewed.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to incomplete medical opinions regarding service connection. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered after these additional examinations are completed.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral feet fungi, ingrown toenails, and bilateral flat feet due to insufficient rationale provided by VA examiners. The Veteran's lay reports of in-service onset and continuity of symptoms are not adequately addressed.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient reasoning in the VA examiner's opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral pes planus. The examiner did not address the Veteran's service connection claims, including his reports of receiving special insoles during service and the impact on his right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in the August 2020 VA psychiatric examination and medical opinion, as well as incomplete verification of the Veteran's claimed stressor. The AOJ is required to obtain additional evidence and opinions on service connection for PTSD and bilateral foot disability.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate medical opinions and need for additional examination.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disability, migraine headaches, right shoulder strain, and left shoulder strain are not service-connected.,Service connection for the Veteran's bilateral foot disability is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus, a right knee disability, and a left knee disability. The Veteran's current disabilities are found to have begun during active duty.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus, plantar fasciitis, osteoarthritis of the feet, and bilateral hallux valgus and hammertoe. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a direct relationship between these conditions and the veteran's military service.

Service connection is granted for a bilateral foot disability.,Service connection is granted for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings and increased ratings were denied. The appeal is also denied as the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 50 percent for his combined bilateral plantar fasciitis or fibromatosis.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development, including service connection for various musculoskeletal and psychiatric conditions. The issues include PTSD, restless leg syndrome, right shoulder disorder, right ankle disorder, right foot disorders, left hip disorder, and right hip disorder.

The Veteran's initial rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis was increased to 30 percent in September 2018, and the Board found that a higher rating is not warranted based on his symptoms.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is 40 percent, which does not meet the threshold schedular requirement for a TDIU. The Board found that his service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's TDIU appeal was withdrawn by his representative. His bilateral pes planus is rated at 30% since March 1, 2017. The Veteran's migraines are currently rated at 50%, the maximum schedular rating for very frequent prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's bilateral foot conditions, including bunions, pes planus, hallux valgus, and plantar fasciitis.

The Board has determined that more development is necessary before final adjudication of the claims on appeal, including obtaining service treatment records and scheduling VA examinations to determine if the Veteran's bilateral knee, ankle, and foot disabilities are related to his active service.