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

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is rated at the maximum schedular rating of 50 percent. The residuals of right foot fracture are rated at 20 percent, and the peptic ulcer disease is not higher than a 10 percent rating.

The Board found that VA waived any objection to the timeliness of the filing of the Veteran's substantive appeal, and thus granted the appeal for all issues listed in the August 2016 rating decision.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, finding that the Veteran's complaints of foot pain during service and within one year after discharge are chronic and continuous.

The Board denied service connection for a left foot condition, gout in the left foot, and right knee condition due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.,The Veteran's current diagnoses include a left foot plantar callous, gout in the left foot, and right knee degenerative joint disease.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for plantar fasciitis of the left foot is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for chronic strain of the cervical spine is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is remanded due to the need for a new VA opinion regarding the relationship between her tinnitus and her service-connected cervical spine disability.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for Gulf War illness, CFS, and metabolic syndrome are all remanded due to the need for additional development including verification of periods of active duty and examination by a medical professional.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome is remanded due to the need for a new VA opinion regarding the relationship between her symptoms and any diagnosed conditions.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for metabolic syndrome is remanded due to the need for a new VA opinion regarding the relationship between her symptoms and any diagnosed conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is rated at the maximum schedular rating of 50 percent, which is the highest possible rating for acquired flatfoot. The appeal has been denied as there are no additional factors warranting a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of various disabilities, including a right shoulder disability, bilateral pes planus, TBI, and other conditions were denied as the Veteran failed to appear at scheduled VA examinations.,Service connection claims for back disability, left foot disability, right elbow disability, and chest pain were also denied due to insufficient evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board denied service connection for left hip, back, left groin, and left foot disabilities due to a lack of current disability at the time of filing or during the pendency of the appeal.,The Veteran's complaints related to these conditions were noted in service but resolved without any residual symptoms.

The Board has remanded the case due to lack of compliance with prior remand directives and inadequate VA medical opinions regarding secondary service connection for a left foot disability.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for right foot plantar fasciitis with heel bursitis as secondary to his service-connected left foot plantar fasciitis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus, finding that there was no evidence of aggravation during active service and that the condition existed prior to service.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations conducted in March 2018 are insufficient for adjudicating the service connection claims. The Veteran's current disabilities are associated with his active duty, and further examination is needed to determine if any of these conditions clearly and unmistakably pre-existed his service or were aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left foot disability, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to an injury sustained during active duty in Iraq. The decision was based on the Veteran's consistent reports of a foot injury and pain since service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of her back disability, bilateral pes planus, and depressive disorder are being remanded due to the failure to report for necessary VA examinations without good cause. The issues regarding the rating of depressive disorder prior to October 2, 2015; from October 2, 2015, to August 3, 2020; and after August 3, 2020 are being remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder, right foot (including plantar fasciitis), and left foot disabilities. The conditions are deemed to be related to the Veteran's active military service.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his right foot disability and entitlement to TDIU were denied due to failure to report for scheduled VA examinations without good cause.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of increased evaluations and service connection, as further examinations are required to assess the severity of his bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis, calcaneal spurs, and first metatarsophalangeal joint arthritis, pseudofolliculitis barbae, right knee disabilities, diabetes mellitus, and sleep apnea.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for left-foot plantar fibromatosis, as aggravated by active service. The evidence shows that the condition existed prior to service and was aggravated during service.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable rating for left foot fracture, service connection for residuals of broken right foot, and service connection for respiratory disorder (asthma and COPD) were denied. Service connection for hypertension was granted on a presumptive basis based on the PACT Act. The Veteran's claim for service connection for sinus disorder (allergic rhinitis and sinusitis) was not supported by evidence linking it to Agent Orange exposure, and his claim for bilateral foot disorders is also denied.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral foot disorder and right knee disorder have been denied as they are not service-connected. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD has also been denied.