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

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his service-connected psychiatric disability and its impact on the claimed ankle, carpal tunnel syndrome, foot, cervical spine, lumbosacral spine, and right knee disabilities.,Specifically, a VA examination will be conducted to determine if any of these disabilities are related to or aggravated by his service-connected psychiatric disability.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to decide the claims for service connection and rating increases. The Veteran's VA treatment records, CAPRI records, and examinations are being requested.

The Veteran's appeals for various disabilities have been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for vertigo, fibromyalgia, and headaches migraines have been dismissed as the conditions were granted in a March 2024 rating decision.,Service connection has been established for bilateral flatfoot, degenerative arthritis of the right foot, left hallux valgus, right hallux valgus, left plantar fasciitis, right plantar fasciitis, and degenerative arthritis of the left hand.

The Veteran's request to reopen the finally disallowed claim of entitlement to service connection for adjustment disorder with anxiety is dismissed. The request to reopen the finally disallowed claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD is granted. The claim for a disability involving the tailbone is denied. The claims for right shoulder, left shoulder, right foot, left foot, right hip, left hip, right knee, and left knee disabilities are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased disability evaluations for intervertebral disc syndrome with spinal stenosis and bilateral pes planus, as well as his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU). The AOJ is instructed to obtain all relevant VA treatment records and provide a medical opinion regarding the Veteran's current severity of service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right foot disabilities due to incomplete records, including missing service personnel records and treatment records. The Veteran is also asked to provide additional etiological opinions regarding his current diagnoses.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, which is the maximum rating available under current criteria.,The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is currently rated at 30 percent. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 30 percent and the Board denied an increased rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right foot disability and for obtaining private medical records from a podiatrist.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's tinnitus claim is granted. The hearing loss and pes planus claims are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for migraines and pes planus with plantar fasciitis due to incomplete service records, pre-decisional duty to assist errors in VA examinations, and insufficient evidence regarding the onset or aggravation of these conditions during active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left foot disabilities due to a lack of sufficient information in medical opinions regarding the onset and progression of her conditions. The AOJ will obtain additional medical opinions to address whether her current diagnoses are related to military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, finding that there is at least an even balance of evidence to support the claim and resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lower back disorder, finding that it is at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities of degenerative joint disease of the left knee, degenerative joint disease of the right knee with painful flexion, degenerative joint disease of the right knee with instability, and pes planus with plantar fasciitis.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral flat foot disability and toenail/foot fungus (onychomycosis) due to a lack of adequate medical examination and opinion, as well as potential duty-to-assist errors. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations to determine if his conditions are related to service.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence does not support readjudicating the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and bilateral plantar fasciitis with flat foot. The appeals are denied.

Your claim for service connection for flat feet (pes planus) has been granted, and you are now receiving a 30% rating effective July 20, 2017. This issue is no longer in appellate status.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted, as the evidence supports a finding that it had its onset in service. The claims for right ankle sprain residuals and allergies are denied due to lack of medical evidence linking these conditions to service. Service connection for bilateral flat feet on an aggravation basis is also denied. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder secondary to her bilateral flat feet is remanded.

The Board dismissed the claim for service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae as moot due to a prior grant of service connection under the 'legacy' system. The claims for other conditions are remanded.