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

The Board denied service connection for plantar fasciitis of the right foot, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between the condition and active service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of left shoulder, right hip, and left foot disabilities are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions in the previous VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral pes planus, which may be related to service-connected plantar fasciitis.

The Board has granted service connection for right ankle arthritis and instability, finding that the Veteran's preexisting right ankle disability was aggravated by service. However, the Board denied service connection for a right foot disability, concluding that it is not related to his now service-connected right ankle condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection related to bilateral foot conditions, hearing loss, right hip disability, right hip scar, left hip disability, and left foot disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development and examination. The Veteran's claims of increased rating for tinnitus, service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left heel and foot disability, left knee disability, lumbar spine disability, right ankle disability, neurological disability of the left leg, and neurological disability of the right leg are now pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current foot disabilities, including pes planus and plantar fasciitis, were incurred or aggravated by service. A VA examination is needed to determine the nature of these conditions and their relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for hearing loss, left ankle collateral ligament sprain, left lower extremity sciatic nerve pain, left shoulder glenohumeral joint and acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, myopia and retinal hole lattice degeneration (claimed as bilateral eye retina problems, thinning, and vision decrease), right ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain, right knee strain, right lower extremity sciatic nerve pain, right shoulder glenohumeral joint and acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, a severe stomach and colon condition, fibromyalgia, steatohepatitis, vertigo and balance issues, and flat feet; and entitlement to increased evaluations for lumbosacral strain, GERD, left knee strain, restrictive lung disease, allergic rhinitis, PB, a skin rash, and tension headaches. The Veteran was also remanded for VA examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood and tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the claims for sleep apnea, lower back condition, and bilateral flat feet due to incomplete VA treatment records and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left foot disorder, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left wrist disability, left foot disability, bronchial asthma, and COPD due to incomplete evidence. The Veteran is required to provide his Naval Reserve duty dates and must undergo VA examinations for his claimed conditions.

The Board has granted the petitions to reopen claims for service connection for pes planus and right knee disability. The left knee disability claim is denied due to lack of a current disability.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for several service-connected conditions, including skin condition, flat feet, GERD, left knee condition, left wrist condition, and left wrist scar. The Veteran's fibromyalgia and hypertension were granted service connection.,Several issues are remanded for further review, including initial ratings for various disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for a low back disability, service connection for bilateral leg and foot disabilities, and TDIU due to failure to obtain VA examinations as directed by prior remands.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for tinnitus and left ear hearing loss, but granted service connection with a 10% rating for bilateral foot disability.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for all issues related to the Veteran's service-connected conditions as the Veteran requested withdrawal of these appeals.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a lack of consideration under the PACT Act, and also because further examinations are needed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including anxiety disorder and bilateral foot disabilities, have rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment since March 17, 2022. The Board has granted a TDIU rating for this period.

The Veteran's application for PCAFC benefits was denied as their combined rating of service-connected disabilities is below the required threshold (70%) to be considered a 'serious injury' under VA regulations.