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

The Veteran's service connection for hemorrhoids, mild TMJ disorder with bruxism, left carpal tunnel syndrome with cubital tunnel syndrome, bilateral plantar fasciitis, persistent depressive disorder, GERD with IBS, shin splint, right lower extremity, and shin splint, left lower extremity have been granted. The Veteran's service connection for left carpal tunnel syndrome with cubital tunnel syndrome has been granted at a 30 percent rating effective from November 21, 2019.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle, right foot, left foot, and sleep apnea disabilities due to incomplete examination reports and outstanding medical records.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for pes planus, due to aggravation of a pre-existing disability. The evidence shows an increase in severity during service and no clear and unmistakable evidence that there was no increase or that it was due to natural progression.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a bilateral foot disorder and lower back disorder due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The case is now before the Board again.

The Veteran's bilateral knee and plantar fasciitis conditions are granted service connection, while the ratings for shin splints remain at 10 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right foot disabilities, as well as bilateral metatarsalgia and ankle disabilities. The Veteran's current hip and thigh disabilities are also found to be secondary to his service-connected foot disabilities.

The appeal for service connection of a bilateral foot disability is dismissed. The Veteran's tension headaches are granted an initial rating of 50%. The issue of entitlement to service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate development of evidence, particularly regarding the Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendonitis. The issues are now pending for further development.

The Board has found that further development is needed, including consideration of new evidence and issuance of a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC). The claims for service connection for various disabilities are being remanded to allow for this additional review.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities have been granted increased disability ratings, but the effective dates are set to August 12, 2015.,The Veteran's right foot disability (hammer toes of the right foot with bilateral pes planus) has been dismissed as a claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right foot disability, left foot disability, and skin disability due to inadequate VA examination opinions. Further development is needed to address the nature and etiology of these disabilities, including consideration of toxic exposure risk activities.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining a VA examiner's curriculum vitae and private medical records. The RO will also schedule the Veteran for additional examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his hip, shoulder, knee, and foot disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities result in the loss of use of both lower extremities, necessitating the use of a cane or wheelchair as a normal mode of locomotion. The Board has granted eligibility for specially adapted housing based on this finding.

The Veteran withdrew her appeals for multiple conditions, including bilateral plantar fasciitis, bipolar disorder, and others. The Board dismissed the appeal as a result of the withdrawal.

The Board has been notified of a withdrawal request from the appellant, and thus the appeal is dismissed.

The Board has decided that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims regarding back disability, left knee disability, arthritis, right foot disability (secondary to left knee), and residuals of breast cancer due to radiation. The records from VAMC Chicago and any related Social Security Administration records are requested.

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for right and left foot disabilities due to a lack of a medical opinion addressing secondary service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis and bilateral pes planus, finding that the Veteran's conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, and the Board has remanded them to obtain further development regarding herbicide exposure in Puerto Rico.

The Veteran's appeal for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on housebound status or need for regular aid and attendance prior to December 14, 2019 was denied as his service-connected disabilities did not render him so helpless that he required regular assistance.