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

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral pes planus and sleep apnea. For bilateral pes planus, a VA examination is needed to determine if it began during service or is related to an in-service injury. For sleep apnea, a new medical opinion is required to address whether it was caused by or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected mood disorder.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim for service connection for right foot pes planus. The claims of increased ratings for left knee patellofemoral pain (based on instability and limitation of extension), right knee patellofemoral pain (based on limitation of flexion and limitation of extension), and left foot pes planus are withdrawn. Service connection for a right foot disability (other than pes planus) and service connection for a low back disability with bilateral lower extremity sciatica are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of bilateral pes planus, finding no prior claims were filed before May 16, 2018.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied, and the case was remanded for further development. The low back disability claim is currently under review.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral foot disability and right ankle disability due to insufficient opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's left foot plantar fasciitis, as well as his left knee and right knee disorders, are granted service connection. The left shoulder disorder remains in dispute.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for bilateral hand and left foot disabilities, as they may be related to service-connected gout.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a foot disability, to include bilateral plantar fasciitis. The case is remanded for additional development and an addendum medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims due to incomplete certification of the appeal, additional VA medical records submitted after the October 2019 SOC, and the need for clarification on right foot surgery history. The Veteran's claims will be readjudicated.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, a left ankle disability, and bilateral pes planus. The Veteran's stomach disability is remanded for further examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and a bilateral foot disability, other than residuals of a broken left great toe. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to military service.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his bilateral plantar fasciitis, pes cavus, metatarsalgia, and hammer toes was denied. A separate 10 percent disability rating for the Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis is granted effective February 7, 2021. The Veteran also received a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new evidence added to the claims file, including VA outpatient records. The issues of service connection for teeth issues, shoulder condition, acquired psychiatric disorder, right foot (pes planus), limitation of flexion right knee/leg, gout (claimed as painful joints), generalized body aches, skin disability, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), recurrent allergies, sleep apnea, bilateral hand disability, sinus disability, and asthma are remanded for further development.

The Board has restored a 50% rating for the Veteran's degenerative arthritis, bilateral feet, with bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis from September 28, 2018.

The Veteran's hypertension, presumed to be related to herbicide agent exposure during service, is granted for the period prior to August 10, 2022. For the entire period on appeal, a rating of 50 percent for bilateral pes planus is granted.

Service connection for left and right foot disabilities is granted. From June 25, 2011 to December 8, 2015, a 20% disability rating for the lumbar spine disability is granted.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis was diagnosed during his military service and is considered a direct result of the active duty. The Board granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus has been reopened, and the appeal is granted. The claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 2, erectile dysfunction, and depressive disorder are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's increased ratings for bilateral pes planus, right ankle degenerative arthritis, and left ankle degenerative arthritis are denied as they are already at the maximum schedular rating.

The Board has decided to remand four issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims and one issue regarding a TDIU prior to September 12, 2019. The main reasons for remanding are to obtain missing separation examination records and provide retrospective VA medical opinions on range of motion.