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

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis and low back disorder, finding that the Veteran's conditions are at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right foot disability and gout, finding that there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Veteran's initial ratings for sinusitis and allergic rhinitis have been denied, with the case being REMANDED for further examination.,Service connection claims for bilateral flatfoot and plantar fasciitis and calcaneal spurs are also REMANDED.

The Board has granted a rating of 50 percent for bilateral pes planus, effective from the date of the June 2017 examination. The claims for service connection for headaches and knee disabilities have been reopened due to new evidence received since the February 2015 denial.,An effective date earlier than January 17, 2017, for the assignment of a 20 percent rating for a back disability is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for additional development due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives and the need for new medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal of the increased disability rating for pes planus is dismissed. The Board has remanded several issues related to migraines, bilateral knee and ankle disorders, eczema, and a psychiatric disorder due to service.

The Veteran's initial and increased disability ratings for his right foot conditions are denied. The appeal is remanded to obtain additional development regarding the Veteran's claim of service connection for a right eye disability.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly adjudicate the claims for service connection of various conditions, including right ankle, cervical spine, right hip, head injuries (including headaches), acquired psychiatric disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease, bilateral pes planus, and Parkinson's disease. The VA will obtain relevant records from SSA and VA treatment providers and conduct new examinations to provide a clear determination on these claims.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions provided by the VA examiner in May 2023. The Veteran's joint pain, muscle pain, left and right foot disabilities, vertigo, liver disability, and breast lump are all being reviewed further.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a sleep disorder is dismissed as the appellant withdrew his claims prior to the promulgation of a decision. The Board also remanded several other issues including service connection for bilateral foot disability, chronic fatigue, major depressive disorder, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right knee strain with history of Baker's cyst and effusion, gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD), total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU), and special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need of regular aid and attendance of another.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but denied the Veteran's claims for left foot pain and arthritis, elbow tendinitis, and loss of feeling in the hands.,Service connection was not established for the left foot disability as it is presumed to have existed prior to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a special home adaptation grant due to her lack of blindness, loss or use of both hands, severe burn injury, and an inhalation injury resulting in total disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for VA examinations and opinions to determine if the Veteran's psychiatric disorder and bilateral foot disability clearly and unmistakably existed prior to service or were aggravated by service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus and remanded the issues of left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, bilateral feet degenerative arthritis, and right foot calcaneal spurring.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his bilateral foot disability, to include plantar fasciitis, pes cavus, calcaneal spurs, and metatarsalgia with right metatarsophalangeal degenerative foot arthritis, from October 30, 2023, is denied. The case is remanded for further development regarding the Veteran's service-connected back disability and his ability to work.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current pes planus preexisted his service and was aggravated by his active-duty service, granting service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for his bilateral foot disabilities, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his period of active service.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development due to insufficient information regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral feet disabilities are secondary to his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for obstructive sleep apnea, degenerative joint disease of the right shoulder, bilateral plantar fasciitis, chronic pharyngitis, and thrombophlebitis have been denied as new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen any of these claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral feet and shoulder disabilities, finding that additional development is necessary to address the nature and etiology of these conditions, including whether they are related to service or secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability.