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

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the claims of service connection for migraines and increased evaluation for bilateral pes planus. The Veteran will need to provide information about his treatment providers, and VA will attempt to obtain any outstanding records.

The Veteran's insomnia is denied as it is a symptom of his PTSD. The Board finds that the Veteran has allergic rhinitis due to exposure to burn pits during service in Iraq, granted under the PACT Act.,The Veteran's bilateral flat fleet and plantar fasciitis disorder is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding its etiology.,The Veteran's right knee disorder is denied as it is less likely than not related to his service-connected left knee disorder.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error, and will need to provide a new medical opinion regarding whether any right foot disability is related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The Veteran's left foot disability is granted a 10 percent evaluation, subject to regulations governing payment of monetary awards. Other claims are remanded.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is granted a 50% disability rating. The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right foot, hip, shoulder, and lumbar spine disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left shin splints, right shin splints, right knee osteoarthritis, and bilateral pes planus due to a failure to ensure an adequate examination was rendered.

Service connection is granted for a musculoskeletal foot disability other than pes planus, including metatarsalgia with metatarsal phalangeal arthritis, hallux valgus, calcaneal spurs, and multiple metatarsus adductus.,Service connection is denied for pes planus. Secondary service connection for neuropathic pain of the bilateral feet is granted.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left shoulder, low back, and left foot conditions have been granted.,However, the Veteran's claims for bilateral shin splints, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder are pending and need further review.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for increased evaluation of bronchial asthma, service connection for flat feet disability, left ankle disability, plantar fasciitis, and obstructive sleep apnea due to incomplete records and need for updated examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's right foot conditions and his service-connected knee disabilities. The claim will be reconsidered with a new addendum opinion.

The Veteran's right foot pes planus and arthritis are service-connected, while her plantar fasciitis, hallux valgus, calcaneal spurs, and bunions are not. The Board finds that the evidence is in balance regarding whether these additional conditions are related to her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal of entitlement to service connection for hypertension, a right arm disability, a right elbow disability, a left arm disability, a left elbow disability, a left foot disability, and a right hip disability has been dismissed.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is granted with consideration of the benefit of the doubt. The issue of whether it was caused or aggravated by his service-connected right Achilles tendon disability remains at equipoise.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the claims before a decision was made by the Board.

The Board denied service connection for hysterectomy, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and lumbar disability due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's TDIU claims are remanded due to the need for additional development, including a combined-effects medical examination and completion of a VA Form 21-8940.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left knee disability, right foot disability, and TMJ due to insufficient opinions in previous VA examinations. The Veteran is required to provide additional medical evidence or authorize VA to obtain relevant records.

The Board has granted service connection for right foot plantar fasciitis with degenerative arthritis and right foot hallux valgus with degenerative arthritis, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his in-service complaints of pain.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds no basis to grant a higher evaluation.,PTSD has been assigned an initial evaluation of 70 percent, which is not in excess of what is warranted. The Veteran's PTSD symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral foot disability, finding that there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease related to his current disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various lower extremity and knee disabilities are being remanded due to incomplete evidence, including outstanding private treatment records from Dr. M.G.