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

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is granted service connection. The claims for a bilateral foot disorder and gastrointestinal disorder are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for right ankle and left foot disabilities manifested by pain, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these conditions are related to active duty service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for various disabilities and initial rating determinations. The main reasons are due to insufficient evidence or need for further examination.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for left foot metatarsalgia, which was granted with the implicit assumption of service-connected pes planus and hallux valgus, has been denied as his symptoms do not warrant an increased rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for Dupuytren's contracture of the right and left hands, as well as plantar fasciitis fibromatosis, are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to October 1, 2016.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to failure to properly notify him of scheduled examinations and obtain etiology opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left foot disability other than his already-service-connected plantar fasciitis, finding that there is no current diagnosis of an additional left foot disability.

The Veteran's initial rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis remains at 10 percent prior to July 12, 2019, and at 50 percent thereafter. The case is remanded for further development regarding the severity of his service-connected disability and a TDIU claim.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disability, characterized as pronounced flatfoot with extreme tenderness of plantar surfaces not improved by orthopedic shoes or appliances, is granted a 50% rating effective December 2, 2016. Ratings in excess of 20% for the right and left feet prior to that date are denied.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence and need for a new VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis, including any related hallux valgus, pes cavus, and ankle limitations.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete information from previous examinations, and a new medical opinion is needed to address the Veteran's left foot disorders diagnosed during the appeal period.

The Board has denied service connection for right foot plantar fasciitis and remanded the issue of service connection for a right shoulder disability. The Veteran's current diagnoses do not support these claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral foot disability was previously denied in 2002. New evidence has been submitted that raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim, and it is now reopened. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of any diagnosed bilateral foot disability residuals of frostbite.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral foot disability, finding that his pre-existing condition did not increase in severity during active service.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including cervical strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine, right and left knee patellofemoral syndrome, bilateral plantar fasciitis, right and left carpal tunnel syndrome, hypertension, basilar skull fracture, and status post tympanoplasty, are being remanded for further evaluation due to lack of recent VA examinations.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is being remanded for further development. The increased rating claim for bilateral pes planus has been granted, but the service connection claim remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected back, neck, right ankle, left ankle, right foot, and left foot disabilities require additional examinations to comply with VA examination requirements. The cases are being remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a neck disability and remanded the issue of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral foot disability other than calluses, to include plantar fasciitis.

The Veteran's service-connected left ankle arthritis and foot pes planus have been evaluated at the lowest possible rating due to lack of marked limitation of motion or ankylosis.,The Veteran's left foot condition, including pes planus with plantar fasciitis, hindfoot valgus deformity, and metatarsalgia, has also not met the criteria for a higher evaluation.