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

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy, and right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy are each granted initial ratings of at least 20 percent. The Veteran's left foot plantar fasciitis is granted an initial rating of 10 percent.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to assist the Veteran with his claims, including obtaining relevant medical records and providing notice regarding military sexual trauma. The claims for service connection are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral foot and hip disabilities, which are claimed as secondary to his service-connected intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis and stenosis of the thoracolumbar spine.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lumbosacral spine, right foot, and left foot disabilities due to a lack of VA examinations. The Veteran is required to undergo additional VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and back condition are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.,The Veteran's claim for a psychiatric disorder is remanded as he has not been afforded a VA examination regarding his current diagnoses.,The Veteran's claim for erectile dysfunction/loss of reproductive organ is remanded because it is inextricably intertwined with his service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder.,The Veteran's claim for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded as he has not been afforded a VA examination regarding his current diagnosis.,The Veteran's claims for bronchial asthma and COPD are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.,The Veteran's claim for a right shoulder disability is remanded because he has not been afforded a VA examination regarding his current condition.,The Veteran's claims for frostbite left foot, frostbite right foot, chronic mycotic infection bilateral feet, and bilateral foot disability are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions and further review is needed.

The Board has remanded the case due to an issue regarding whether the use of tea tree oil, a topical treatment, could be considered 'systemic therapy' under the pre-August 2018 version of Diagnostic Code (DC) 7820. The Veteran's representative argued that tea tree oil is cytotoxic and affects the body as a whole like an anti-viral medication.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to his service-connected disabilities, including bilateral pes planus, hallux valgus and metatarsalgia of the left foot, bronchial asthma, and residuals of a fractured middle finger. The Board has determined that further examination is needed to assess the current severity of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus and osteoarthritis, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are related to her in-service symptoms and continuous post-service treatment. The decision is based on presumptive service connection due to arthritis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient opinions regarding his psychiatric, skin, neurological, digestive, and genitourinary disabilities. The orthopedic claims are also being remanded.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding service connection for a head injury, hearing loss, tinnitus, plantar fasciitis, and an increased rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is granted as service-connected, with the condition being related to his military service.,Service connection for right and left pes planus is also granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's eligibility for financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile or other conveyance and/or adaptive equipment. The Veteran is service-connected for several disabilities, but none are directly related to his request for benefits.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to an inadequate VA examination and a need for further evidence regarding his bilateral feet and right fifth toe.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions and duty-to-assist errors. The claims will be reconsidered with new evidence and evaluations.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA opinions regarding the etiology of pes planus, plantar fasciitis, corns, and callosities. The Veteran's service treatment records are silent for documentation of trauma to the foot during service.

The Veteran's increased disability ratings for lumbago, bilateral pes planus, and right knee osteoarthritis have been denied due to failure to attend scheduled VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records from the Veteran's telehealth sessions at the Durham VAMC and any relevant SSA records.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in obtaining records and scheduling an examination for the Veteran's bilateral foot disability, including plantar fasciitis.

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral pes planus and has remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder.