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

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder disability, bilateral foot disability (other than a skin disability), and obstructive sleep apnea due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's active service.,Specifically, the Board found that there was no credible evidence showing onset or aggravation during service or within one year post-service. The VA examiners also determined that current right shoulder and bilateral foot disabilities were not related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and other conditions such as right shoulder, bilateral pes planus, positional vertigo, tinnitus, right elbow, right knee, hiatal hernia, have rendered him unemployable. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, particularly his heart condition, prevented him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's right wrist ganglion cyst and bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis were evaluated, but the appeals for increased evaluations or TDIU were denied.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's unspecified anxiety disorder is service-connected, but remanded for further examination and opinion regarding his bilateral plantar fasciitis.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for insomnia disability and denied his claims for right thigh, bilateral hand, bilateral foot, seizure disorder, shin splints, eczema, pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity neuralgia, lumbar scar, psychiatric disability, migraines, cystic acne, and hiatal hernia with gastritis and history of healed gastric antral ulcer.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, back disability (claimed as back pain), left hip disability (claimed as left hip pain), right hip disability (claimed as right hip pain), left foot disability (claimed as left foot cramps), and right foot disability (claimed as right foot cramps) due to lack of evidence of a current disability in service or related to military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for Total Disability Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities, which include generalized anxiety disorder, right knee ACL tear, tinnitus, painful scar from ACL surgery, left patellofemoral pain syndrome, bilateral plantar fasciitis, cervicogenic headache, and right knee limitation of extension. The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected conditions collectively precluded him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's bilateral feet calluses and blisters are denied as they pre-existed his service.,Service connection is granted for bilateral pes planus, hallux valgus, and hammertoes, which the Board finds at least in approximate balance to be related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal should be restored to the VA legacy system and his September 2019 VA Form 10182 is accepted as a timely Notice of Disagreement (NOD). The Veteran will need to file a VA Form 9 substantive appeal to perfect his appeal for the issues on remand.

The Board has decided to remand four of the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and one for service connection due to outdated examination reports. The Veteran will need new examinations for his bipolar disorder, degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, cervical spine degenerative disc disease, and foot disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD, sleep apnea, or chronic fatigue syndrome. The back and bilateral flat feet conditions are also not supported by the evidence as being related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of wisdom tooth removal and bilateral pes planus due to incomplete records and need for further medical examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new examination of his right knee disability.

The Board has granted an initial 30 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus, finding that his symptoms included pain on manipulation and use of feet, decreased longitudinal arch height on weight-bearing, corns or callouses, swelling, and flareups when climbing stairs. The criteria for a higher rating were not met.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD is granted as it meets the criteria for service connection.,The Veteran's claims for left knee, right foot plantar fasciitis, and left foot plantar fasciitis are remanded due to lack of sufficient evidence.

The Veteran's appeal for a disability rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD with alcohol use disorder prior to December 5, 2022 was denied. The Veteran also received an award of TDIU effective May 2, 2016.

The appeals seeking earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection for left foot hallux valgus, right foot hallux valgus, and plantar fasciitis with pes planus have been dismissed.,The appeals seeking service connection for migraine headaches, total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, and non-service-connected pension are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis is being remanded due to the need for a supplemental medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of her diagnosed condition.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the merits of the Veteran's claims, including for her PTSD, bilateral plantar fasciitis, left and right restless leg syndromes, low back disability, and right knee disability. The appeal will be remanded to allow for further development.