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

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings and service connection was denied. The initial rating for PTSD with alcohol use disorder remains at 70 percent, the rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied, and the initial rating for bilateral pes planus is denied. A separate 10 percent rating for left foot hallux valgus from February 10, 2020 was granted. The right foot scar's rating remains at 0 percent. Service connection requests for left ankle disability, right ankle disability, and low back disability were also not granted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral pes planus and bilateral plantar fasciitis, finding that new evidence received since the last denial raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim. The Board also found in favor of the Veteran on the issue of whether his current pes planus began during active service.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis is granted as service connected, with the Board finding that it began during her active duty service.

The Board has granted a rating of 50 percent for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis from October 26, 2017 to March 24, 2022.

The Board denied service connection for a right hip condition, right knee condition, and left knee condition. Service connection was granted for bilateral pes planus.,Service connection for a back condition was not established.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis is related to her service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus and acquired pes cavus were granted a 50 percent rating effective April 28, 2017. The claims for service connection for tinnitus, headaches, diabetes mellitus type II, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, hypertension, sleep disability, vision loss, and right shoulder disability are all remanded.

The Veteran's PCOS and bilateral foot disability were rated, with the PCOS receiving a 30% rating prior to September 8, 2022, and currently at 30%. The TDIU and SMC claims are still pending.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of left foot and right foot disabilities due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's claims for right trigger thumb disability, left trigger thumb disability, residuals of a right ankle injury, residuals of a right knee injury, sleep apnea, and bilateral flat foot disability have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence.,These issues are being remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral foot disabilities, including heel spurs now claimed as plantar fasciitis, require additional examination and analysis to determine the current severity of these conditions. The Veteran is being asked to undergo a VA examination to assess the full range of motion and functional loss during flare-ups, which addresses matters in compliance with current case law.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and records.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to substantially comply with prior remands, specifically regarding obtaining a VA medical opinion on the etiology of any current foot disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection claims for right and left foot disabilities, as well as right and left ankle disabilities, are being remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset of these conditions during active service or their relationship to any incident of service.

Service connection for a right foot disability and a right ankle disability has been granted, but only to the extent that they are related to service. The Veteran's preexisting conditions were not aggravated by her period of service.,The Veteran's low back/lumbar spine disability and tension headaches have not been reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for osteoarthritis of the right wrist. The issue of service connection for bilateral pes planus is remanded due to insufficient medical opinion and need for additional development.

The Board has found deficiencies in the November 2017 VA opinions addressing the Veteran's bilateral shoulder strain and knee strain. The opinions are based on the absence of an in-service diagnosis, which may not serve as a basis for a negative opinion. The examiner ignored the Veteran's statements describing the onset of shoulder and knee pain during service.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disability, including pes cavus with metatarsalgia and hammertoes, bilateral pes planus, bilateral plantar fasciitis, hallux valgus of the right foot, and amputation of the fifth digit, is granted at a 50 percent rating from December 16, 2019. The Veteran's right foot disability remains denied for higher ratings.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations, as well as the retrieval of outstanding VA treatment records.

Your appeal for service connection for bilateral pes planus has been dismissed because you withdrew the appeal before a decision was made.