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

The Veteran's initial ratings for bilateral plantar fasciitis and lumbar spine disability have been denied. The issues of entitlement to separate ratings for lower extremity radiculopathy, TDIU, and psychiatric disability secondary to plantar fasciitis are remanded.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including GERD, lumbar spine disability, right hip scar, and foot disabilities. The Veteran will need further examinations to determine the severity of his conditions and their relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to address whether the appellant's obstructive sleep apnea and right foot disability are related to service, including toxic exposures during Gulf War service. The opinions must consider the appellant's lay statements regarding in-service onset of these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that he is not unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral pes planus was permanently worsened by active duty service, and thus granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus and a skin disorder. The AOJ must obtain any outstanding service records, including those from her service in the Texas Air National Guard. They are also required to provide the Veteran with a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any bilateral pes planus and skin disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various foot, hip, and knee conditions due to incomplete records and inadequate examination opinions. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions on the basis that they were aggravated by active duty service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial increase rating for heel spur of the right foot, left foot, and bilateral plantar fasciitis. The TDIU claim is also remanded due to its inextricability with the other issues on appeal.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied because he was not rendered unemployable due to only one service-connected disability, but rather multiple disabilities including his neck and back pain.

The Veteran's appeal of the petition to reopen previously denied claims for service connection and entitlement to an effective date prior to May 21, 2018, for award of increase rating to 70 percent for PTSD is dismissed.,The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to a rating in excess of 70 percent prior to November 1, 2023, for PTSD and entitlement to TDIU prior to November 1, 2023.

Your appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been dismissed due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating, service connection for right foot condition and lung cancer are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and etiology opinions.

The Veteran's residuals of right wrist ganglion cyst were granted service connection as it was caused by an in-service right wrist ganglion cyst.,Service connection for a right ankle disability was denied due to the periodic flare ups not being causally related to active duty service.,Service connection for hemorrhoids was denied as there is no current evidence of a disability or impairment associated with them.,The left elbow condition was denied as it did not onset during his active duty service and there were no symptoms reported after separation.,Bilateral hearing loss was denied due to the absence of a current diagnosis meeting VA criteria for a disability.,Service connection for a scar from left inguinal hernia repair was denied as there is no evidence of such a condition.,Right foot condition, including plantar fasciitis, was remanded as further examination and opinion are needed.,Cervical spine condition and high blood pressure were also remanded due to the need for additional medical evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left foot disability, bilateral pes planus, prostate cancer, and left hip disability due to insufficient opinions regarding secondary service connection. The RO must obtain adequate medical opinions addressing whether these conditions are related to his service-connected PTSD with obesity.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and bilateral plantar fasciitis disabilities have been rated, but the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted for either condition.,For her lumbosacral strain prior to June 12, 2023, the evidence did not show forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 30 degrees or combined range of motion not greater than 120 degrees.

The Veteran's left foot disability and psychiatric disorders (PTSD, Major Depressive Disorder) were denied as the evidence did not support a finding of service connection.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for histoplasmosis, PTSD and depressive disorder are dismissed.,Service connection is granted for tinnitus and erectile dysfunction as secondary to a service-connected psychiatric condition. Service connection is denied for the lumbar spine disorder and pes planus.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings due to inadequate development of evidence, including the need for retrospective opinions and VA examinations.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for a bilateral foot disability. The case is remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral foot disability.

The Board has granted service connection for left foot disability, left ankle disability, left hand disability, and hypertension. The evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these conditions had their onset in active service.