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

The Board has found the medical opinions insufficient and remanded for a new opinion addressing whether the Veteran's right great toe amputation was caused or aggravated by his service-connected foot disabilities. The matter is now being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine and bilateral foot disabilities secondary to his service-connected rheumatoid arthritis have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including left hand and ankle issues, as well as right hand and foot issues, were remanded due to the need for further development. The dental disability claim was also remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional information regarding an examiner's qualifications.

The Veteran has withdrawn their appeals for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain and a TDIU, which were previously pending at the Board of Veterans' Appeals. The appeal is dismissed as a result.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus disability resulted in accentuation of pain on use and characteristic calluses, warranting a 30 percent disability rating for the period from March 1, 2008 to December 7, 2019.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal regarding the initial evaluations for rotator cuff tendonitis and plantar fasciitis, which resulted in the dismissal of these claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis are aggravated by his service-connected left foot osteoarthritis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions and the need for additional examinations. The issues include bilateral hearing loss, left foot disability (other than hallux valgus), right foot disability (other than hallux valgus), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), bladder or urinary disability, thyroid disability, right breast lump, breast reduction surgery residuals, and C-section residuals.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis is granted service connection, while his depression and insomnia are denied. Service connection for left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome remains denied.

The Veteran's service-connected foot and knee disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, leading to the grant of TDIU effective May 11, 2016.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was noted at entry into service and the Board found that it did not increase in severity during service, thus denying service connection.,The Veteran claimed his skin disorder of the back and chest is related to sun exposure during active service. The VA examiner concluded that there is no evidence linking the condition to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis, calcaneal spur, and osteoarthritis due to a lack of substantial compliance with prior remand directives. The Veteran is also being remanded for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's hypertension, left shoulder degenerative joint disease, right shoulder tendonitis, right upper extremity neuropathy, left upper extremity neuropathy, right foot pes planus and metatarsalgia, and left foot pes planus and metatarsalgia are not service connected. The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to address these issues.

The Board has remanded the cases of pes planus (left) and pes planus (right) for further development. The lower back disability case is also being remanded. Additional evidence received since the last SSOC will need to be reviewed by the AOJ.

Service connection for a low back disability and bilateral pes planus is denied. For sleep apnea, a 30% rating is granted prior to August 23, 2012, but the claim remains pending as higher ratings are sought.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to June 14, 2010, finding that her service-connected disabilities did not prevent her from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate compliance with prior remand instructions. The Veteran contends her current foot conditions are related to service, but a VA examiner's opinion is incomplete and based on an incorrect factual foundation.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development due to insufficient medical opinions addressing the Veteran's claimed foot disabilities and her lay reports.

Your service connection claims for bilateral plantar fasciitis, right and left hip bursitis, and persistent depressive disorder have been granted. The appeal is dismissed as all claims are now resolved.