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

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased evaluations have been withdrawn by her authorized representative.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to the promulgation of a decision.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and bilateral plantar fasciitis, finding that the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether these conditions were incurred or are otherwise causally related to active service.,The Board also remanded cases regarding left ankle tendonitis, right hand disability, and left hand disability due to potential need for additional examination and opinion.

The Veteran's polyneuropathy of the lower extremities is granted as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine degenerative disc disease. The claims for a bilateral foot disability other than neuropathy and a bilateral ankle disability are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and his claim for a higher evaluation of bilateral flat feet from June 12, 2017 was granted with a rating of 50 percent.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and bacterial conjunctivitis have been denied as there is no current disability. The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of gout, left eye astigmatism, borderline glaucoma, flat feet, or hypertension.,For the remaining issues, the Board has found that additional evidence is needed to determine if service connection can be granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's preexisting bilateral pes planus was aggravated during service, warranting service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service connection claims for atopic dermatitis, tinea pedis, chronic rhinosinusitis, right foot disability, and right ear hearing loss are being remanded due to the need for updated medical records and examinations.

The Board has reopened the appellant's previously denied claims of service connection for bilateral foot condition, hypertension, and tinnitus. The claim for bilateral foot condition is granted as new and material evidence was received indicating that his pre-existing condition worsened during service.,Service connection for tinnitus is granted based on continuity of symptomatology since discharge from service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and evaluation of various disabilities, including back disability, pes planus, thoracolumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, left upper and lower extremity disabilities (including peripheral neuropathy), and lichen simplex chronicus. The Veteran's testimony and medical records indicate that these conditions may be related to his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis is now rated at 50% from July 8, 2022. The condition was previously rated at 30%. The increase in rating is due to the presence of extreme tenderness of the plantar surfaces that is not relieved by orthopedic shoes or appliances.

The Veteran's pes planus is not service-connected, as the VA examiners concluded that it was less likely caused by his military service or secondary to his left knee condition.,The Board found in favor of the Veteran on his claim for a back disability, concluding that it is at least equally likely that his back issues are related to his service-connected left hip and left knee conditions.,For his right shoulder disability, the Board determined that there was at least equipoise evidence supporting the Veteran's contention that his fall down stairs caused his injury. The VA examiner concluded that the condition was not secondary to his left knee condition.

The Board has granted service connection for left foot plantar fasciitis, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during active duty and are related to his military service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's sinusitis is granted, but has remanded other issues due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating for individual unemployability (TDIU) as his service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, despite meeting the schedular criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination. The effective date of any increased rating remains unknown as it depends on whether an increase in disability occurred within one year prior to filing the claim.

The Veteran's increased evaluations for left foot plantar fasciitis and lumbosacral strain were granted, with the effective date set at May 22, 2018.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, atrial fibrillation, bilateral plantar fasciitis, PTSD, and hypothyroidism have all been denied.,There is no current diagnosis of any of these conditions in the record.

The Veteran's right hip disorder, genitourinary disorder other than erectile dysfunction (epididymo-orchitis), nasal disorder, and several musculoskeletal conditions are remanded for further development.,Service connection for the Veteran's claimed conditions is being remanded due to insufficient evidence linking them to service exposure or service-connected disabilities. Further examination and opinion may be necessary under recent changes in law related to toxic exposure claims.

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for sinusitis and bilateral pes planus due to inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran's lay statements regarding his symptoms during service are not considered.