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

The Board has dismissed the appeal of entitlement to service connection for left leg blood clots. Service connection is granted for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and bilateral plantar fasciitis.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's foot disorders.

The Veteran's headaches, hypertension, bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis, and urethral strictures have been granted service connection effective November 1, 2018.,For the entire appeal period, the Veteran's kidney disorder has not been linked to his military service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions are being remanded due to the need for TERA examinations considering his exposure to toxic substances during his service in Southwest Asia.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, a right foot disability, and a headache disability due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral foot disorders and lower back disability, as well as related radiculopathy disabilities due to inadequate VA examinations and failure to substantially comply with prior remand directives.

The Board has denied service connection for a right eye disability, left foot disability (to include pes planus and heel spur), right foot disability (to include pes planus and a heel spur), left knee chondromalacia patella, left knee laxity, left ankle sprain residuals, and hypertension. The decision also dismissed the claim for TDIU.

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, and left knee Osgood-Schlatter's disease. The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was found to be preexisting but not aggravated by service.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,A 30 percent rating for chronic motion sickness is granted.,Service connection for a heart disability is denied.,Service connection for varicose veins is denied.,Service connection for bilateral flat feet and bilateral upper calf neuropathy are precluded due to lack of service-connected conditions.,The Veteran's claim for sleep apnea, lumbar spine disorder, and other issues is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation prior to October 21, 2022. The Board has found that the evidence is in at least approximate balance and any remaining reasonable doubt is resolved in favor of the Veteran. TDIU is granted prior to October 21, 2022.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the Veteran's claims can be adjudicated due to exposure to hazardous materials during his period of active-duty service. The PACT Act requires VA to obtain a TERA-specific examination for the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left knee, right knee, and bilateral foot disabilities as well as his claim for service connection for gout due to lack of current VA treatment records and uncompleted examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability was denied due to lack of new and material evidence. The application to reopen the claim is also denied.,The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 40 percent for residuals of a fractured jaw from January 17, 2018 remains denied as there are no dietary restrictions to all mechanically altered foods that warrant a higher rating.,Service connection for a flat foot disability was denied because the pre-existing condition did not worsen during service and the presumption of aggravation does not apply. The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to conflicting medical evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and incomplete records. The issues include OSA, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, right foot disability, and left foot disability.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to address the Veteran's claims for service connection, including considering potential exposure to toxic substances and addressing the relationship between his current conditions and his active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues, including service connection for various conditions and rating claims. The Board has determined that further examination and/or medical opinions are needed to address these matters.

The Board has denied service connection for a right ankle condition and has remanded the issues of service connection for lumbar spine, cervical spine, left hip, and right hip conditions, as well as plantar fasciitis and blood clot condition (secondary to lumbar spine condition).

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and opinions to determine the appropriate ratings for his bilateral plantar fasciitis, DDD of the lumbar spine, hip disabilities, and cervical degenerative joint disease. The effective date claim for service connection remains denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of right foot, left foot, right knee, and left knee disorders have been denied as there is no evidence to support a nexus between the current conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's current bilateral bunions and left foot callus are related to his in-service injuries. The original decision denied service connection for bilateral pes planus.