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

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis was not rated in excess of 10 percent prior to November 12, 2014.,The Veteran's right fibula stress fracture did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating prior to May 12, 2015.,The Veteran's right fibula stress fracture was rated at 20 percent from May 12, 2015 to February 11, 2020 and denied any higher rating thereafter.,The Veteran's left fibula stress fracture did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating prior to May 12, 2015.,The Veteran's left fibula stress fracture was rated at 20 percent from May 12, 2015 to February 11, 2020 and denied any higher rating thereafter.

The Veteran's right foot disability and acquired psychiatric condition are granted, but the claim for service connection for depression and anxiety is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a back disability, hypertension, right foot disability, and left foot disability due to inadequate VA examination opinions. The Veteran's testimony regarding his in-service injuries and ongoing symptoms is considered.

The Board has decided that the VA examinations are inadequate and remands the case for further examination to determine if the Veteran's bilateral foot disability is related to his service.

The Veteran's migraines, right ankle condition, and bilateral plantar fasciitis have been granted service connection.,Service connection has been established for the Veteran's migraines, right ankle condition, and bilateral plantar fasciitis based on a finding of direct causation during military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral pes planus, left elbow condition (non-dominant), left hand condition, neck condition, and left shoulder strain due to insufficient evidence of service connection. The Veteran's conditions are related to his military service, but further examination is needed to establish a nexus.

The Veteran's initial 10 percent rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis is being remanded due to a failure to obtain an adequate opinion addressing all diagnostic criteria prior to the March 2020 rating decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral foot conditions, including hallux valgus and plantar fasciitis, are at least as likely as not related to his active military service. The decision grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension pursuant to the PACT Act and for bilateral pes planus. Service connection for hypertension on a basis other than pursuant to the PACT Act is remanded due to duty to assist error.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension, CAD, atrial fibrillation, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, left knee disability, right knee disability, left foot disability, and right foot disability may be related to his military service. The Board also found that the Veteran's neck arthritis may be related to his military service. Further development is needed to obtain all available service treatment records and VA medical records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left foot disability and a back disability, finding that there is no current diagnosed disability or causal relationship to service.

The Board has restored a 50 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis, effective August 1, 2018. The evidence did not show actual improvement in the Veteran's ability to function under ordinary circumstances of life and work.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine, cervical spine, right knee, and bilateral foot disabilities prior to August 16, 2022. The claims are now considered resolved.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral wrist disability and left foot disability, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to her active service.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are both at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure. The Veteran's pes planus, left trapezius disability, and hypertension have not been found with current evidence of a diagnosis.,Entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD is remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claims for headaches, sleep disturbance, and fatigue are remanded due to the need for a TERA opinion.,The Veteran's service connection claims for back, left knee, right knee, and right ankle disabilities are remanded due to the need for an examination addressing both etiology and pathophysiology of the conditions.,The Veteran's service connection claim for a right foot disability (claimed as pes planus) is remanded due to the need for a TERA opinion.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of service connection for sleep apnea and bilateral plantar fasciitis, including a new examination to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient opinions regarding his claimed disabilities, particularly those related to secondary service connection. The Veteran is seeking service connection for various joint and foot disabilities on a secondary basis to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to September 7, 2017 for the award of service connection for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis, degenerative arthritis, and metatarsalgia was denied as there is no evidence of a pre-existing implicit or explicit claim. The Board found that September 7, 2017 is the appropriate effective date.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis, degenerative arthritis, and metatarsalgia was denied as there is no evidence to support a higher rating. The Board found that the symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus warrants a rating in excess of 10 percent, but remanded for further development due to conflicting evidence and unclear employment status. The TDIU claim is also raised by the combined disability rating.