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

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for hallux valgus of the left great toe was granted, and he is now receiving a 10% rating since June 27, 2019. The Board found that his symptoms warranted this rating given his other service-connected foot conditions.

The appeal for service connection for sleep disturbance, including sleep apnea is dismissed. The rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD with other specified depressive disorder is denied and the case is remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral pes planus, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and sleep apnea due to a procedural defect in the issuance of an SSOC. The case is returned to the AOJ for the issuance of an SSOC.

The Veteran's claim for a temporary total disability rating based on convalescence due to surgery for left ganglion cyst removal is denied. The Board also remanded the claims for service connection, ratings in excess of 10 percent for left ankle and lumbar spine disabilities, and a rating in excess of 20 percent for pes planus, left.

The Veteran's service connection claims for pityriasis rosea, otitis externa, seborrheic dermatitis, tinea corporis, and bilateral pes planus are remanded due to the need for VA examinations and medical opinions regarding toxic exposure risk activities (TERAs).

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and opinion due to the Veteran's incarceration preventing VA from providing necessary examinations. The issues of service connection are inextricably intertwined with drug and alcohol dependency.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee strain and degenerative arthritis, as well as bilateral pes planus. The Veteran's current conditions are believed to have started during his active military service.,Service connection was also granted for migraine headaches secondary to a pre-existing condition (service-connected anxiety disorder with insomnia disorder, hearing loss, and tinnitus).

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted in January 2017, with the effective date set at April 11, 2014. The appeals for earlier effective dates prior to this date are denied.,All five conditions (major depressive disorder, bilateral pes planus, lumbosacral strain, cervical strain, and right ankle sprain) were granted service connection in the January 2017 rating decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of adequate examination regarding the Veteran's bilateral pes planus, which may have existed prior to service and not been aggravated during service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations. The Board is unable to make a decision on these matters without further evidence.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a bilateral foot disability has been dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a bilateral foot disability due to inadequate medical opinions in the VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the claim for a new VA examination to consider the Veteran's reports of continuous foot pain and his friend's statement about his feet always hurting. The previous August 2022 VA examination was found to be inadequate.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral foot disability of bilateral pes planus with degenerative joint disease (DJD), finding that the preexisting condition worsened during service and caused the current disability.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, right foot disability, left foot disability, and erectile dysfunction have been denied. The claim for hypertension is being remanded for further development.,For the issues of entitlement to service connection for a right foot disability, left foot disability, and erectile dysfunction, as well as hypertension, the Board finds that additional evidence or examination may be needed to determine if these conditions are related to active duty service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The case is remanded to obtain a VA examination and determine the presence, nature, and etiology of any found psychiatric disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus, finding that his preexisting condition did not worsen beyond its natural progression during service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral flat foot was denied. The initial ratings of 10% for right hip limited extension and left hip limited extension from September 14, 2017 to June 14, 2021 were granted. An increased rating of 10% for right hip strain from June 15, 2021 and continuing thereafter was also granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and scars are being remanded due to deficiencies in the VA examinations, particularly regarding functional limitations of his left foot disability.