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

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate compliance with previous remand directives and an additional remanded is required to obtain an adequate addendum opinion addressing the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims are remanded due to insufficient evidence and procedural errors. The claims for increased ratings and service connection will be returned to the RO for further action.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral flat feet and plantar fasciitis, right or left ear disorder, right ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain, left ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain, right carpal tunnel syndrome (dominant), left carpal tunnel syndrome (nondominant), right shoulder acromioclavicular joint strain (dominant), right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFS), and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) due to the Veteran's failure to appear for VA examinations scheduled in April 2023.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient service treatment records and a need for further examination by a podiatrist. The Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral foot disability, including plantar warts, is being reviewed on the merits.

The Board has decided that the Veteran does not have a current disability of chronic fatigue syndrome and denied service connection for this condition. The Board also found insufficient evidence to determine if bilateral pes planus is related to service, specifically Gulf War Syndrome or long periods of standing during service, and thus remanded the issue.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations provided for both conditions were inadequate and remanded to obtain further opinions. The Veteran's claims for right knee condition and left foot degenerative arthritis are being returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for additional development.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The remaining issues were remanded for further examination and rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various foot and leg disabilities, as secondary to a service-connected right ankle disability. The case is returned to the AOJ for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable evaluation for plantar warts of the left foot and service connection for plantar warts of the right foot are remanded due to inadequate VA examination reports.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus and left foot strain is remanded due to inadequate VA examination reports.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded due to inadequate VA examination reports.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for abnormal blood pressure, including hypertension is remanded due to inadequate VA examination reports.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hand carpel tunnel syndrome is remanded due to inadequate VA examination reports.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral foot disorder, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosed conditions are related to her active duty service.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for bilateral pes planus. The Veteran's claim for a separate disability rating for hallux valgus associated with bilateral pes planus was granted.,Service connection on any basis may only be granted for a current disability. There is no current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder, thus service connection is not warranted.

The Veteran's tinnitus had its onset during active duty service and has continued to the present. Service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Board has denied service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and pes planus with plantar fasciitis claimed as fallen arches.,There is no current diagnosis of IBS, and the Veteran's pes planus and plantar fasciitis are not related to his service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis and separate plantar fasciitis are rated, but the right knee degenerative arthritis, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, right knee instability, and left knee instability remain remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for kidney disability, prostate condition, meningioma of the brain (claimed as brain cancer, brain infection, brain damage), anemia, right foot disability, left foot disability, skull deformity, erectile dysfunction, and penis deformity due to Agent Orange exposure and/or Camp Lejeune contaminated water.

The Board has found that additional development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of entitlement to increased ratings and service connection for bilateral shin splints, bilateral pes planus/plantar fasciitis, and right foot hallux valgus. The case will be returned to the Board after completion of the requested actions.

The Veteran's claims for posttraumatic osteoarthritis, plantar fasciitis, and back strain have been denied as there is no current disability. The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection.,The Veteran's chronic sinusitis and allergic rhinitis have been granted as presumptively related to exposure to burn pits during active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require regular aid and attendance of another person due to functional limitations, but additional compensation under SMC(r)(1) or SMC(r)(2) is precluded as he does not meet the threshold requirement for consideration.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been denied. The Board has found no new evidence to reopen the claims, and the existing evidence does not support a finding of service connection or entitlement to higher ratings.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left hip, bilateral knee, left foot, and neck disabilities as they are not shown to be causally or etiologically related to his active duty service.