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

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar strain secondary to his service-connected pes planus has been granted. His service-connected pes planus is also confirmed, and he is now entitled to service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's requests for earlier effective dates and service connection for Graves' disease, bilateral knee disabilities, and bilateral ankle disabilities. The claims were not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has found that remand is required for both right foot plantar fascitis and sinus disorder claims due to inadequate etiological opinions. The Veteran's service records do not provide a clear in-service diagnosis, but the VA examiner will be asked to consider his assertions of in-service exposure and post-service symptoms.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The claim for increased ratings was denied as the evidence did not show that the Veteran met the criteria for a compensable evaluation prior to January 31, 2018, in excess of 10 percent prior to July 5, 2022, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter. The claims for service connection were denied as there was no evidence of a current skin disorder or headaches at any time during the pendency of the claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis is related to his military service and has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's PTSD, left and right foot plantar fasciitis are all granted service connection as they are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various hip, knee, leg, spine, ankle, and foot disabilities due to inadequate opinions regarding their relationship to periods of active duty training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty training (INACDUTRA).

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a left foot disability and bilateral ankle disorder due to inadequate medical evidence in the record. The Veteran is required to be examined by VA to determine if his current disabilities are related to his military service.

The Board has dismissed the issues of entitlement to higher ratings on an extraschedular basis for right and left foot hallux valgus with degenerative arthritis, heel spurs and plantar fasciitis, as well as right and left foot scarring status post bunionectomy. This dismissal is due to the Veteran's grant of a total disability rating based on service-connected disabilities (TDIU) for the entire appeal period.

The Veteran's appeal was remanded due to the need for an examination that adequately evaluated both his right and left foot disabilities, including whether the left foot pes planus is related to his service-connected right foot disability. The VA examiner did not provide such an opinion.

Service connection is granted for bilateral plantar fasciitis, left knee strain, right knee strain, left ankle tendonitis, right ankle tendonitis, left hip trochanteric pain syndrome and iliopsoas bursitis/tendinitis, and right hip trochanteric pain syndrome and iliopsoas bursitis/tendinitis.,Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine and left foot disabilities, specifically concerning continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sleep apnea, increased ratings for bilateral plantar fasciitis and metatarsalgia, and for left foot pes planus. The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for her increased rating of bilateral plantar fasciitis and metatarsalgia is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea has been granted. The issues of entitlement to service connection for a right foot condition, prostate cancer, and reflux esophagitis have been remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient clinical evidence in previous opinions, and additional development is needed.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a left foot condition, including trophic lesions, pes planus, and plantar fasciitis, has been remanded due to incomplete records. The Board requests that VA obtain the Veteran's outstanding service treatment records and any pertinent ongoing VA treatment records. A medical opinion is needed regarding whether the Veteran's preexisting left foot pes planus was aggravated by his service, if trophic lesions are related to his service, and if plantar fasciitis is related to his service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right ankle and/or foot disability, including pes planus. The VA examiner provided negative opinions for these conditions without considering the Veteran's entire medical history.

The Board has remanded the claims due to new evidence received after the appeal was certified to the Board in October 2018.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's pes planus worsened during service.

The Veteran's pes planus was noted at entry into service, and the Board finds further development is needed to determine if it increased in severity during service.