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

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn for issues of service connection and ratings for various conditions. The Board is remanding several cases for further development.,The Veteran's bilateral pes planus, heart disorder, cervical spine disorder, migraine headaches, sleep apnea, erectile dysfunction (ED), left knee disorder (secondary to right knee disability), bilateral thumb disorders, bilateral index finger disorders, bilateral little finger disorders, bilateral middle finger disorders, bilateral ring finger disorders, bilateral shoulder disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities (secondary to lumbar spine disability), and bilateral elbow disorder are all being remanded for further examination and evidence collection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various musculoskeletal and sleep disorders, finding no current disability diagnoses in the record.

The claims for service connection have been reopened and granted, with a rating of 30 percent effective from the date of claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating of her ankle and foot disabilities due to incomplete records and inadequate examination reports. The AOJ is instructed to obtain all relevant medical records, including from Fox Army Medical Clinic, and schedule new VA examinations.

The Board has identified additional evidence that was not considered in the previous decision and has requested a waiver for its consideration. The claims are being remanded to allow for readjudication of these issues.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to inadequate VA examinations and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities due to insufficient reasons or bases in the previous decision. The VA examiner did not adequately address the Veteran's lay statements about his symptoms during service.

The Veteran's PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, and major depressive disorder are related to in-service stressors.,The Veteran's alcohol use disorder is secondary to his service-connected PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, and major depressive disorder. His pancreatitis is also secondary to his alcohol use disorder.

The Veteran's application to reopen claims for service connection of left knee, right foot, and left foot disabilities is granted. The claim for service connection of left eye macular degeneration is also reopened. A rating of 100 percent for PTSD with MDD from August 1, 2001, is granted.

The Veteran's residuals of left foot accessory navicular are granted as service connected. The claims for bilateral plantar fasciitis and left Achilles tendon rupture are remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and higher initial evaluations were dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis and unspecified anxiety disorder are granted service connection, while the Veteran's hernia, IBS, lumbar spine disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability are remanded for further review.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding his foot conditions. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an ear disability is denied.,A 30 percent initial rating, but no higher, for bilateral plantar fasciitis is granted.,A 20 percent initial rating, but no higher, for low back disability is granted.,Service connection for TBI residuals, photophobia, and dizziness are remanded.,An initial compensable disability rating for irritable bowel syndrome is remanded.,An initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for cervical degenerative arthritis is remanded.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection claims and a rating for shin splints. The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis and lumbosacral strain are not rated higher than the current levels due to lack of evidence supporting more severe disability. Service connection for cervical spine and left wrist disabilities is denied as they are not attributable to active military service or arthritis manifest within one year post-service. The claim for a headache was previously denied, but new evidence did not meet the criteria for reopening.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral pes planus. The examiner is asked to provide an opinion on whether the condition had its onset in service, is caused by any service-connected disabilities, or if it has been aggravated by them.

The Board denied service connection for pes planus and hepatitis A, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing conditions did not worsen during service.,There is no current diagnosis of hepatitis A in the record. The Veteran was diagnosed with hepatitis A while in service but it resolved.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment beginning November 16, 2013. A TDIU on extraschedular basis was granted for the period from November 16, 2013, to March 4, 2014.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for colon cancer, increased ratings for left and right ankle disabilities, an earlier effective date for bilateral plantar fasciitis, and a TDIU after March 29, 2016 have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his open appeals.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for plantar fasciitis and secondary service connection for a right knee disability, finding that these conditions are related to his active service.