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

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral foot disability (other metatarsalgia and diagnosed as pes cavus) but denied service connection for a bilateral lower extremity disability.

The Board has decided to remand the veteran's claims for service connection due to the lack of available service treatment records and the need for VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing pes planus worsened during service, and therefore grants service connection for bilateral pes planus on the basis of aggravation.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his right hip and left thigh disabilities have been withdrawn. The appeal for a compensable rating for the Veteran's chronic disability of the left foot has been granted with an initial noncompensable rating, which was later changed to a 10 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral foot and knee disabilities due to procedural errors in the April 2022 decision, including failing to address the Veteran's July 2019 hearing testimony regarding loss of reflexes and control of feet, and VA's duty to notify and assist.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral foot disability is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and consideration of the PACT Act.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for asthma, left hand disability, right ankle disability, and right foot disability due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's GERD, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and right knee meniscal tear with osteoarthritis have been granted service connection. The effective date for the 50% rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis is set at October 2, 2014. The claim for a higher rating for the right knee remains pending.

The Veteran's GERD, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and right knee meniscal tear with osteoarthritis have been granted service connection. The effective date for the 50% rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis is set at October 2, 2014. The claim for a higher rating for the right knee remains pending.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected as there is no evidence of these conditions during or immediately after service, nor any indication that they began in service.,Service connection for right shoulder disability, right foot disability, and left knee disability was denied due to lack of current diagnoses.

The Board has remanded the claims for a right ankle and right foot disability as secondary to service-connected left foot, left ankle, or left knee disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions addressing causation and aggravation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for depression, anxiety and panic attacks, diabetes mellitus type II, right shin splints, left hip disability, left foot disability, right foot disability, difficulty breathing (asthma), bilateral eye disability, right ankle disability, left ankle disability, and chest pain have been denied due to lack of evidence showing a link between these conditions and service.,New evidence received since the last denial has not provided sufficient information to support the Veteran's claims for service connection for depression, anxiety and panic attacks, diabetes mellitus type II, right shin splints, left hip disability, left foot disability, right foot disability, difficulty breathing (asthma), bilateral eye disability, right ankle disability, left ankle disability, and chest pain.

The Veteran's PFB is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has remanded to determine if a higher rating is warranted based on systemic therapy use.,Service connection for right ankle disability, left ankle disability, and left foot pes planus are denied as there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete medical records and inadequate opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his claimed back condition, left foot plantar fasciitis, and right foot plantar fasciitis. The AOJ is instructed to obtain additional pertinent medical records and provide adequate opinions.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disabilities, including plantar fasciitis, calcaneal spurs, and osteoarthritis, are currently rated at 10 percent. The Board denied an increased rating for these conditions as they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes. Additionally, the Veteran's TDIU claim was denied due to insufficient evidence showing he is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for right foot arthritis was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. Service connection is now granted.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (GAD) was found to be incurred in the line of duty, with no indication of willful misconduct or unauthorized absence. Service connection is granted.,Bilateral metatarsalgia (Morton's disease) was found to have been incurred in the line of duty and not due to willful misconduct. Service connection is granted.,Bilateral hallux valgus (bunions) was found to have been incurred in the line of duty and not due to willful misconduct. Service connection is granted.,Bilateral pes planus (fallen arches) was found to have been incurred in the line of duty and not due to willful misconduct. Service connection is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus is granted, and an initial compensable rating of 10 percent for his right knee scar is granted. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his degenerative arthritis prior to September 10, 2020, remains pending.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions, including headaches (migraines), neurological signs and symptoms, psychiatric disability, hip disabilities, knee disabilities, plantar fasciitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), hemorrhoids, obstructive sleep apnea, fatigue, hypertension, glaucoma, and optic atrophy have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of these claims during his March 2021 Board hearing.,The appeals were withdrawn by the Veteran in writing prior to the promulgation of a decision by the Board.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities, as well as bilateral pes planus, have been granted. The Board found that the Veteran had a current disability that began during active service and provided new medical opinions supporting this finding.

The Board has decided to remand the cases regarding the reduction in ratings for left foot pes planus and lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, as there are missing VA treatment records from October 2017 to April 2018 and August 2018 to December 2018 that need to be obtained.