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

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his heel spurs and plantar fasciitis due to insufficient evidence in the record, particularly regarding the severity of flare-ups.

An initial 30 percent rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis is granted from March 3, 2013.,A 40 percent rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with IVDS is granted from July 26, 2013.,The claim for an increased rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy is denied.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for left foot pes planus, right foot pes planus, a left ankle disorder, and a right ankle disorder due to new evidence. The Veteran's other claims are remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left foot disability (other than residuals of left foot bunionectomy and osteotomy and left big toe gout) on a direct basis, finding that there is sufficient evidence to support a link between his in-service symptoms and current condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development, including obtaining new VA opinions regarding the Veteran's bilateral foot disability and low back disability. The case will be returned to the Board after this development is completed.

Service connection is granted for bilateral plantar fasciitis, allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, and recurrent bronchitis with chronic cough and chest pain due to in-service exposure to burn pits.,Service connection is denied for hypotension as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and examination, including obtaining private treatment records and a VA medical opinion. The Veteran's bilateral foot disability and obstructive sleep apnea claims are being reviewed again due to incomplete evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, right knee disability, left knee disability, low back disability, and shoulder disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for hypertension, including as secondary to his service-connected major depressive disorder with anxious distress, was denied. The Board found that there is no evidence linking the hypertension to service or a service-connected disability. For the right foot pes planus with arthritis and tendonitis, the case was remanded due to unclear whether symptoms affect different functions of the feet.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and need for clarification of opinions regarding service connection for OSA as secondary to various service-connected disabilities, including diabetes.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus and bilateral calcaneal spur, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus, hammer toes, metatarsalgia, and hallux valgus are related to service. The Veteran's left knee arthritis was not shown as chronic in service and did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period; continuity of symptomatology is not established; and arthritis and patellofemoral pain syndrome are not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service event or service-connected disability. The Veteran's right knee arthritis was also not shown as chronic in service and did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period; continuity of symptomatology is not established; and arthritis and patellofemoral pain syndrome are not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service event or service-connected disability. Service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis and bilateral pes planus are granted as service-connected.,Service connection is also granted for Achilles tendonitis, with the condition being secondary to her already service-connected bilateral foot disabilities.

The Board has remanded the cases for further action due to insufficient explanation of ratings assigned and need for a retrospective medical opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral foot disability prior to February 2021. The AOJ is also instructed to conduct an audit of the Veteran's record from January 2014, including contacting his former employer.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to obtain an addendum opinion from an orthopedist regarding whether his low back disability is at least as likely as not secondary to his service-connected bilateral foot and ankle disabilities.

The Veteran's left fifth finger disability is rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum rating available under VA regulations.,Prior to June 17, 2019, the Veteran's right and left foot plantar fasciitis were each rated at 10 percent. From June 17, 2019 onwards, they are combined into a single rating of 30 percent for bilateral pes planus with bilateral fasciitis and degenerative arthritis.,The Veteran's cataracts have been denied as there is no evidence of visual acuity impairment that meets VA criteria for hearing loss disability.,Service connection for right ear hearing loss has not been established.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, tinnitus, and hearing loss, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to January 1, 2012.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's right hip disability is related to his service-connected disabilities, including altered gait or body mechanics.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and scheduling VA examinations to determine the current severity of his service-connected conditions and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis and remanded the claims for service connection for a bilateral foot disability and a bilateral eye disability due to outstanding VA treatment records, lay statements from the Veteran and his sister, and further medical examination.