Foot (incl. plantar fasciitis, flat feet) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of flat feet and a lumbosacral strain/lumbar spine disorder due to the Veteran's death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU due to one service-connected disability, finding that he was not rendered unemployable based on only one of his service-connected disabilities. The decision is binding only with respect to this specific matter and does not establish VA policies or interpretations of general applicability.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis is the primary factor in his inability to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation. Other conditions, such as left knee strain, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, lumbosacral strain, right foot hallux valgus, and left foot hallux valgus, also contribute but do not significantly impact his employability.

The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, as it is related to the veteran's service-connected obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), due to a lack of an opinion addressing whether the veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis was aggravated by his service-connected OSA.

The Board has granted service connection for left wrist tenosynovitis and right ankle strain, finding that these conditions are related to active service.,Service connection was denied for obstructive sleep apnea and a right shoulder disability due to the lack of evidence showing current disabilities or their relationship to active service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus prevented him from maintaining substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a TDIU on an extra-schedular basis.

The Veteran's asthma, allergic rhinitis, bronchitis, bilateral plantar fasciitis, cardiovascular disease, left shoulder condition, scars, kidney condition, TBI residuals, diabetes mellitus type II, diverticulitis, gastritis, and hypertension are remanded due to incomplete service records.

The Veteran's right knee flexion disability is rated at 10 percent, the minimum compensable rating. The evidence does not support a higher rating as his range of motion did not warrant such.,The Veteran's bilateral great toe ingrown toenails are currently rated noncompensably disabling due to their minimal impact on body area and exposed areas.

The Veteran's rating for bilateral pes planus was reduced from 50% to 10%, and his rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease was restored from 20% to 40%. The appeal is denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's dental condition is not considered a disability for VA compensation purposes.,The Veteran's lumbar spine DDD does not meet the criteria for an increased rating beyond 20 percent.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, hypertension, bilateral wrist condition, and bilateral foot pes planus are all granted as service-connected. The eating disorder claim is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD is currently rated at 70 percent disabling. The Board denied an initial rating higher than 70 percent for PTSD with MDD, but granted a TDIU for the period from September 5, 2019, to October 18, 2021.

The Veteran's right knee strain is granted as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability.,There is no current diagnosis of dermatitis/skin condition, and the claim for this issue is remanded.

The Board has determined that remand is necessary for the Veteran's claims of service connection for plantar fasciitis and cervical spine degenerative joint disease due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for onychomycosis and plantar wart (claimed as tinea pedis, infection, rash, infected toenails, itching) has been dismissed due to the withdrawal of the appeal by the Veteran's representative.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection and ratings related to various musculoskeletal conditions, including lumbar spine degenerative arthritis with intervertebral disc syndrome, right hip osteoarthritis with trochanteric pain syndrome, left hip strain residuals with trochanteric pain syndrome, right shin splints, left shin splints, right knee strain residuals, and left knee strain residuals. The appeal for a rating in excess of 30 percent for bilateral plantar fasciitis was also withdrawn.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral flat feet condition is related to his active service and grants service connection for this disability.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left foot plantar fasciitis, left foot pes planus, and dermatophytosis due to a duty to assist error. The VA must obtain adequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's hypertension was not related to his service, as it first manifested many years after separation from active duty.,Right foot pes planus and left foot pes planus were not diagnosed or treated during the Veteran's service.