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

The Board has decided that the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral pes planus claims are remanded for further development. The decision on service connection is pending.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the representative withdrew all claims on appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a jaw condition and loss of tooth #9 were denied in May 2012 and April 2011 rating decisions, respectively. The RO determined that the evidence of record failed to demonstrate that the Veteran had a diagnosis of a jaw condition or chronic residuals of trauma or disease of the jaw or hard palate.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus and a bilateral knee disability were denied in April 2011 and May 2012 rating decisions, respectively. The RO determined that the evidence of record failed to demonstrate that the Veteran's pre-existing pes planus had been permanently aggravated or that secondary service connection was warranted for a knee disability.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to his military service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right foot disability, left foot disability, psychiatric disorder, dental disability, and back disability are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to insufficient evidence regarding his service-connected umbilical hernia and secondary foot disabilities. The issues of entitlement to a compensable rating for the umbilical hernia, as well as service connection for left and right foot disabilities related to onychomycosis, are now pending.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis and a lumbar spine disorder due to insufficient evidence regarding whether these conditions are related to active service, particularly given the Veteran's service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations. The claims will be further evaluated with additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including recurrent major depression and unspecified anxiety disorder, is found to be secondary to his service-connected thoracic spine disability.,His left foot and left great toe disabilities are also found to be secondary to his service-connected thoracic spine disability.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for chronic sinusitis with allergic rhinitis was denied, while his claim for a 20 percent rating for plantar fasciitis with degenerative arthritis throughout the claims period was granted.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was granted service connection. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for a bilateral knee condition, to include as secondary to pes planus.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis has been rated at the maximum available rating.,For the period prior to February 8, 2018, the Veteran's migraine headaches were not productive of severe economic inadaptability. Beginning February 8, 2018, they have been rated as 50% disabling.,Service connection for erectile dysfunction has not been established.,Service connection for dyspnea has been granted.,An earlier effective date to October 12, 2015, was granted for the award of a 50% rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis and to October 12, 2014, for the award of a 30% rating for migraine headaches.

The Veteran's PTSD with cannabis use disorder is rated at 70 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Board denied his claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent. Additionally, the Veteran was granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The reduction in rating from 30 percent to 10 percent for bilateral foot disability was improper and the 30 percent rating is restored since July 1, 2018. The issues of entitlement to a higher rating for service-connected bilateral foot disability, TDIU based on service-connected bilateral foot disability, and service connection for sleep apnea are remanded.

The Board has remanded two issues: increased ratings for lumbosacral strain and sacroiliac strain, as well as an increased rating for plantar fasciitis of the right foot. The decision does not address service connection theory or exposure basis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his left knee, left foot, and right ankle disabilities due to inadequate opinions from previous VA examiners. The Veteran's left knee and left foot disabilities are related to in-service injuries, but the right ankle disability is not clearly linked to service.

The Veteran's left ankle instability and left foot disability are granted with separate initial ratings of 30 percent, but no higher.

The Veteran's lumbar spine strain with degenerative changes and L1 compression fracture is granted a 20 percent disability rating prior to June 1, 2022. The appeal for higher ratings on this condition remains pending. Other conditions are either denied or have been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the threshold schedular TDIU criteria, and his service-connected disabilities alone do not result in occupational impairment sufficient to warrant extraschedular referral.

The Veteran's bilateral foot and left ankle disabilities were denied increased ratings. The case was remanded for further action on the issue of service connection for a back injury.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial disability ratings are being remanded due to the need to obtain outstanding TRICARE records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of April 16, 2009, and the Board granted a TDIU effective that date.