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

The Veteran's headaches have been rated as 30 percent since February 1, 2018. The Board has found that the Veteran's headaches are characterized by prostrating attacks occurring on average once a month.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for her foot conditions and acquired psychiatric condition. She also seeks an increased rating for her headaches.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU due to her service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, migraines, bilateral flat feet, hallux valgus, and endometriosis. Her combined rating of 90% meets the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae is granted as service-connected.,His bilateral flat feet are denied as not aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of substantial compliance with its previous remand directives, specifically regarding an addendum opinion on the Veteran's right foot disability.

The Veteran's claim for right ulnar neuropathy with numbness of the fingers has been reopened and is granted.,The Veteran's claim for a back disability has been reopened and is granted.,The Veteran's claim for bilateral plantar fasciitis (right foot) has been reopened and is granted.,The Veteran's claim for pityriasis versicolor and dermatitis has been reopened and is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings due to a lack of substantial compliance with prior remand directives regarding obtaining potentially relevant records concerning his claim for disability/retirement benefits held by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, as his education and work history do not support the claim for TDIU prior to April 11, 2019.

Your appeal has been dismissed because the Board did not provide a clear and specific error in their previous decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment, resulting in a TDIU. The adjustment disorder with depressed mood requires further examination to determine the appropriate disability rating.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected residuals of TBI.,Service connection for plantar fasciitis and left heel spur, as well as residuals of in-service TBI, are granted with an effective date of February 27, 2009.,The Veteran's appeals seeking earlier effective dates for these conditions remain denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee disorder, left knee disorder, and right ankle condition. The claim for bilateral pes planus is remanded.,Service connection for right knee disorder, left knee disorder, and right ankle condition are granted on a secondary basis due to pre-existing conditions aggravated by service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral foot condition, including pes planus; left ankle disability; and right ankle disability due to incomplete compliance with prior remand instructions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus, finding that the condition was noted at entry and did not increase in severity during active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (PTSD and plantar fasciitis) are found to be so severe that they prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, warranting a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has remanded the cases of bilateral plantar fasciitis and radiculopathy of the lower left extremity for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus with hallux valgus, hearing loss, tinnitus, a foot disorder, heart disorder, and hypertension has been granted. The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a foot disorder, a heart disorder, and hypertension are remanded.

The Veteran's right foot onychomycosis is denied as there is no medical evidence showing a nexus between the condition and his military service.,Service connection for a bilateral foot condition, to include pes planus, is denied due to lack of a medical nexus between the current condition and his military service. The examiner found that the Veteran's ataxia was more likely than not the primary etiology for his impairment.,The Veteran's bilateral knee condition is denied as there is no medical evidence showing a nexus between the condition and his military service, with the examiner finding it more likely caused by ataxia.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left foot and right foot disabilities due to insufficient evidence in the previous VA examination. The Veteran is required to provide updated medical records and authorize their release, and a new VA examination will be scheduled.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left hip osteoarthritis with labral tear and bilateral flat feet are remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Veteran's service connection claim for right carpal tunnel syndrome, claimed as right upper extremity neuropathy, is granted. The remaining issues on appeal are remanded.