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

The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, TMJ, bilateral plantar fasciitis, rosacea, and left thumb sprain as these conditions are found to be related to active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in previous examinations and a need for clarification on whether bilateral pes planus is caused or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected left ankle and forefoot disability.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is granted as service connected due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents. However, his pes planus is denied as not related to service.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae was denied a compensable rating, as the condition did not meet the criteria for any higher rating.,Service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and left elbow disorder were both denied. The Board found no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the claims for a compensable rating for the right foot disability, service connection for bilateral hearing loss, and service connection for back, knee, ankle, and left foot conditions due to new evidence received after the November 2019 statement of the case.

The Board has found that the claims for right knee, left knee, bilateral foot, indigestion (GERD and functional gastrointestinal disorder), and low back disabilities must be considered on their merits due to additional relevant service records being added after the initial denial. The case is remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that there is not substantial compliance with its November 2022 remand directives and the Veteran's left foot disability claim should be remanded to obtain an addendum VA medical opinion.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding records and inconsistencies in her testimony regarding exposure during service. The claims will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's motor tic disorder and obstructive sleep apnea are granted service connection. Service connection for plantar fasciitis is denied, as the evidence does not support a link to service. The Veteran's onychomycosis with seborrheic dermatitis is remanded due to insufficient medical evidence.

The appeal for the issue of entitlement to service connection for bilateral pes planus is dismissed. The claim for service connection for sleep apnea, reopened due to new and material evidence, is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are remanded due to the need for additional examinations. The initial rating for left foot hallux valgus remains denied, as it is already at its maximum schedular rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral plantar fasciitis, sleep apnea, and service connection for an eye disorder (dry eyes) due to insufficient medical evidence. The Veteran is requested to provide complete copies of his Reserve service records and undergo VA examinations.

The Board has found that the Veteran's current bilateral ankle disability is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected bilateral foot strain disability, and thus remanded for further development.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was aggravated by his active-duty service, and the Board granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for depression/anxiety, bilateral hearing loss, pes planus (right and left feet), and a vision condition due to additional development being required. The claims are currently pending.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for TDIU, but his service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his left foot 5th metatarsal fracture and pes planus with plantar fasciitis have been denied. The evidence does not support a higher rating based on the current symptoms.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disability is related to service and granted.,The Veteran's tinnitus is related to service and granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include sinusitis, eye disability, acquired psychiatric disability (claimed as depression), left shoulder disability, low back disability, left hip disability, right hip disability, left leg disability, right leg disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, and left foot disability.