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

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for left ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain residuals, tinnitus, and service connection for bilateral hearing loss and hypertensive vascular disease (high blood pressure) is dismissed.,A 70 percent initial rating, but no higher, is granted for PTSD from December 2, 2018.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for pes planus has been dismissed because he withdrew his appeal in March 2024.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating of his right thumb disability, service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, and service connection for depression are being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD and increased ratings for tension headaches associated with traumatic brain injury and bilateral pes planus were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of in-service onset or relationship to service for COPD, and that the Veteran's tension headaches did not meet the criteria for a 50% rating under Diagnostic Code 8100.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of VA examinations, and requests that appropriate clinicians conduct these exams in Syracuse, New York.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral foot disability other than pes planus, finding that there was no evidence to support the contention that his current condition began during or was aggravated by military service.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee, left ankle, and left foot disabilities as well as asthma. All conditions are considered to be directly related to the Veteran's active duty service.,No specific exposure basis was provided in the decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left foot disability, Bell's palsy, and fibromyalgia due to incomplete examination reports and need for further medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection of left foot, left knee, and low back disabilities due to inadequate VA opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for obstructive sleep apnea and a bilateral foot disability due to incomplete records, need for medical opinions regarding etiology, and reasonable possibility of secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right foot disability and bilateral knee disability due to incomplete records and conflicting medical opinions. The case will be returned to the Board after further development.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome has been withdrawn and is dismissed. The Board has also remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for bilateral pes planus and bilateral tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his service-connected bilateral foot disability was denied, as the criteria provided in DC 5276 reasonably describe his disability level and symptomatology.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral eye disability was also denied. The VA examiner opined that the Veteran's bilateral eye disability is less likely than not incurred in or caused by his military service.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection for migraine headaches due to a finding of service connection in September 2023. The issues of new and material evidence for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, PTSD with persistent depressive disorder and TBI residuals, cervical spine disability, right hand disability, left hand disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, bilateral foot disability, recurrent sleep disability, heart disability, hypertension, and thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis are remanded.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for left and right foot disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions in the previous remand. The case is being returned to the RO for further action.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of a left foot disability, right foot disability, and sleep apnea are remanded due to the need for additional development including medical opinions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral foot disability, finding that his current diagnosis is related to injuries sustained during service and resolving reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, when taken together, prevent him from securing or following a 'substantially gainful' occupation given his prior vocational history and the impact of his service-connected right foot disabilities (i.e., pes planus, hallux valgus, and hallux rigidus), left foot disability(status post fracture with hallux valgus), back disability, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, right foot and back scars, and GERD, when taken together, have on obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful non-sedentary employment and sedentary employment, including in his past employment as a police officer.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating increase in his service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis was denied. The Board also remanded the claims for service connection of right knee and left ankle conditions, as well as their relationship to his service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis.

The Board has determined that the most recent VA examinations are inadequate and remands for further examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities. The claims will be readjudicated after obtaining any outstanding relevant records.