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

The Board has granted service connection for low back, left hip, right hip, and left knee disabilities. Service connection for a right foot disability separate from the already service-connected plantar fasciitis with flat feet is also granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with the effective date of TDIU and concerns about VA's duty to assist. The Veteran needs a retrospective medical opinion regarding his ability to work given his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his VA Form 9 and continued under the recently enacted Appeals Modernization Act (AMA).

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability related to active duty. The case was remanded for further examination and opinion regarding left shoulder, bilateral foot, and back disabilities.,The Board has also remanded the claims for service connection for a left shoulder disability, bilateral foot disability, and back disability due to in-service injuries or diseases.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left and right tarsal tunnel syndrome, including status post right foot plantar fasciotomy, were denied as the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, effective immediately upon receipt by VA.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied as there is no current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for her service-connected radiculopathy, right sciatic nerve, left sciatic nerve, hemorrhoids, degenerative arthritis of the right knee, cervical spine degenerative arthritis, kidney stones, lip numbness, and gastrointestinal disorders have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to insufficient opinions in previous VA examinations and evaluations.

The Board has remanded the claims for new examinations and opinions to assess the severity of the Veteran's knee and foot conditions, including flare-ups and functional loss. The AOJ must obtain an independent medical expert (IME) opinion from a specialist in orthopedics.

The Board has remanded the claims for PTSD, right wrist disability, left foot disability, and hypertension due to new evidence received since the June 2019 statement of the case.

The Board has remanded the claims for a low back condition, right wrist disability, right hand disability, right foot disability, and TMJ disorder due to inadequate examination reports. The Veteran's service connection claims are not supported by the evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left foot pes planus, lumbar spine condition, cervical spine condition (secondary to a lumbar spine condition), great left toe disability, and left foot disability (other than pes planus) due to insufficient medical opinions addressing the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for hypertension, sleep apnea, an acquired psychiatric disorder (likely PTSD), a right foot disability, coronary artery disease, and diabetes mellitus type II due to incomplete development. The RO must complete the directives set forth in the July 2022 Board remand.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and has remanded the issue of service connection for a right foot disability, to include as secondary to service-connected back or left knee disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected total right and left knee replacements, as well as bilateral plantar fasciitis, are granted with specific disability ratings. The appeal for service connection of lumbar spine, stomach, and migraine headaches disabilities is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus, right knee disability, left knee disability, right leg disability, left leg disability, and left hip disability due to a claim of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in a January 1978 rating decision denying service connection for flat foot (pes planus).

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.,Bilateral pes planus was pre-existing and did not worsen during service.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is granted a 20% rating. Tinnitus and GERD remain at their current 10% ratings. The Veteran's right elbow and left elbow disabilities are denied higher ratings based on limitation of forearm flexion or pronation. The Veteran's shin splints and foot conditions do not warrant compensable ratings. Effective dates for service connection and increased ratings have been established.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for recurrent right and left foot disabilities, including pes planus, arthritis, and plantar fasciitis. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service or her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's tension headaches and pes planus were granted service connection on a direct basis, with the Board finding that the conditions began during service and are related to in-service symptoms.