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

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right plantar fasciitis, low back disability, obstructive sleep apnea, heart condition (coronary artery disease and atrial fibrillation), deviated septum, and respiratory condition have all been granted.,Service connection has been established for the Veteran's current diagnoses of degenerative arthritis of the spine, obstructive sleep apnea, coronary artery disease, atrial fibrillation, deviated septum, and a respiratory condition (sinusitis, rhinitis, upper respiratory infection).

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for bilateral flat feet and degenerative joint disease (DJD) of the bilateral ankle, but has remanded both issues due to a lack of evidence from periods of active duty for training or inactive duty for training.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a cervical spine disability was granted. The TDIU claim was also granted, and the issues related to left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, left ankle disability, left foot disability, and right foot disability were remanded.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for a cervical spine disorder (to include as secondary to bilateral pes planus) due to inadequate previous opinions and need for further development. The Veteran's neck pain is being evaluated in relation to her already-service-connected fibromyalgia.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis with pes planus and degenerative changes to the metatarsals was denied from May 4, 2009 to September 22, 2020.,After September 22, 2020, his disability was rated at 50 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's right knee condition began during service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's application to reopen the previously denied claim for entitlement to service connection for a headache disability is granted. The application to reopen the previously denied claim for entitlement to service connection for a cervical spine disability is denied.

The Board has denied service connection for various foot, knee, and back disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing their onset during or relation to service.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the issues of entitlement to a compensable rating for service-connected left second finger digital nerve mononeuritis and nonlinear scar, as well as for bilateral pes planus, pseudofolliculitis, chronic bronchitis, chronic eye condition, sleep apnea, and lumbar spine degenerative joint disease.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to initial disability ratings for bilateral pes planus and TDIU, as well as special monthly compensation based on housebound status. The Veteran's service-connected conditions include bilateral pes planus, left foot hallux valgus, and left foot hammer toes.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral foot disability and secondary service connection for diabetes. The denial is based on a lack of evidence showing that any current disabilities are related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus and bilateral ankle pain due to potential aggravation during basic training. The Veteran needs a new opinion regarding whether his preexisting conditions were aggravated by in-service events, as well as an assessment of any current disabilities related to these issues.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration of new VA treatment records, including audiograms and a medical opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral foot disability. The issues of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for a bilateral foot disability are being reconsidered.

The Board dismissed the appeals for an earlier effective date and increased rating as the appellant requested to withdraw these appeals.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for retrospective medical opinions regarding the severity of the Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus from October 13, 1994, to December 12, 2008. The appeal is also remanded for obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives regarding service connection for right knee disorder. The issues of bilateral pes planus and right foot bone spur are inextricably intertwined with the right knee disorder issue.

The Veteran's left wrist disorder claim has been reopened and granted service connection.,Service connection for her left foot plantar fasciitis is granted. The Board found that the current symptoms are related to service.,There is no evidence of a current right shoulder disability, thus denying service connection for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for right shoulder, left shoulder, right elbow, and left elbow disabilities. However, it granted service connection for bilateral pes planus and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to his failure to appear for VA examinations. The Board found that the evidence does not support a current diagnosis of tinea pedis, and there is insufficient medical evidence linking any right foot disability or hearing loss to service.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, cervical spine, left foot, and bilateral plantar fasciitis. The conditions are related to in-service injuries and symptoms.