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

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral foot disability and right knee disability, finding that there was no direct evidence linking these disabilities to his active service. The TDIU claim was granted due to the combined effect of multiple service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a bilateral foot disability, left knee disability (to include as secondary to service-connected psoriasis), bilateral eye disability (to include as secondary to service-connected psoriasis), and PTSD due to lack of evidence or need for further examination.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as his claims for increased ratings are not supported by the evidence of record.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial disability evaluation in excess of 20 percent for plantar warts and callouses of the feet, as well as his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to April 4, 2013. The AOJ is instructed to obtain all outstanding VA and private treatment records and provide an adequate statement of reasons and bases in support of its decision.

The Board has denied service connection for right ankle, left ankle, left foot, right foot, and left knee disabilities. Service connection was granted for a low back disability.

The Board has granted service connection for plantar fasciitis of the right foot, finding that it had its onset during military service and is related to a diagnosed condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding service connection for flat feet (pes planus). The Veteran's account of his condition is consistent with clinical findings, but the examiner did not adequately address secondary service connection through aggravation.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, plantar fasciitis, and scar left hand ring finger precluded him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to September 24, 2014. The Board granted a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) on an extraschedular basis for this period.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of left knee disability and pes planus were denied as there are no prior VA treatment records showing an intent to apply for benefits. The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for bilateral pes planus were also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right and left foot disabilities, finding that these conditions began during his active duty service.

The Board has determined that there was not substantial compliance with its remand directives and an additional remand is necessary for further development regarding the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral flat feet, back disability, and lung condition.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral foot disability, to include arthritis. The issues of secondary service connection for bilateral knee and ankle disabilities, each diagnosed to include arthritis, and right hip disability, to a service-connected bilateral foot disability are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis prior to July 12, 2019 was withdrawn and dismissed due to her opting into the Appeals Modernization Act (AMA) system.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received for the Veteran's claims of service connection for hiatal hernia, narcolepsy, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, babesiosis, attention deficit disorder, plantar fasciitis, postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS), Lyme disease, and traumatic brain injury. The issues are being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral foot disability, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease that caused or aggravated his current condition. The Board also found that any increase in severity of mild hallux valgus noted at entry to service did not occur during active duty.

Your claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus has been fully granted in a prior rating decision, so there is nothing left to decide.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an addendum opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected right thigh disability and his current bilateral foot disability. The examiner is asked to provide opinions on whether it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's current bilateral foot disability is related to an in-service injury, event, or disease, including as due to the service-connected right thigh disability, and if so, whether it has been aggravated by the service-connected right thigh disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and verification of stressors.

The appeals for service connection on all issues have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has found that additional procedural development is required and the claims are being remanded for further consideration. Specifically, a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC) must be issued to address all evidence received since the May 2018 SOC.