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

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been remanded by the Board. The effective date of service connection for bilateral foot disabilities is set at May 1, 2017. The rating for bilateral pes planus has been granted from May 1, 2017 to December 10, 2021 and since then remains denied. A separate rating evaluation of 10 percent for bilateral plantar fasciitis is granted effective February 7, 2021. The Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disability, arthritis of the left knee, arthritis of the right knee, low back condition, and TDIU are also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability meeting the VA definition of hearing loss or tinnitus.,For his left knee, right knee, and bilateral foot disabilities, the Board has found that remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions addressing whether these conditions are related to service. The Veteran's claim for obstructive sleep apnea remains pending as it is inextricably intertwined with the issues of service connection for the knees.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial disability ratings for various conditions are being remanded due to the need to obtain outstanding treatment records from TRICARE.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted. Service connection for right and left elbow disorders, right and left knee disorders, bilateral hearing loss, and plantar fasciitis are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral plantar fasciitis, arthralgia of the upper left ankle joint, and a left knee disorder have been dismissed as they were not properly appealed to the Board.,These issues were previously denied in final rating decisions without appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than March 15, 2018 for a 50 percent disability rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis. The evidence did not show that in the year prior to March 15, 2018, the Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis more nearly approximated the level of severity required for a 50 percent rating.

The appeal for service connection of bilateral pes planus is granted. The appeal for service connection of a right knee condition is remanded.

The Veteran's right foot pes planus rating was restored, and he received a 30 percent rating for bilateral pes planus from October 16, 2019. The Veteran also received service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and his chronic lumbosacral strain was rated higher than initially granted.

The Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for left and right knee disabilities are dismissed because service connection has been granted. The claims for left wrist, low back, and left foot disabilities remain denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral foot disorder, including plantar fasciitis and pes planus. The AOJ will obtain the Veteran's complete service treatment records from his period of active-duty service, verify any periods of ACDUTRA and INACDUTRA, and provide an opinion on the etiology of any such disorders.

The Veteran's service connection claim for allergic rhinitis is granted, effective August 10, 2022, under the PACT Act. Service connection for bilateral pes planus and a kidney disorder are denied.

The Veteran's skin cancer is granted service connection, while the bilateral foot disability remains denied due to lack of a medical nexus.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected knee and foot conditions has been granted. The specific issues addressed are the left and right knee instability, patellofemoral pain syndrome (left and right knees), and bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis.

The Board dismissed all appeals regarding effective dates and ratings for the Veteran's service-connected conditions, including left foot plantar fasciitis and panic disorder without agoraphobia with TBI.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the cause of his left knee meniscal tear, as well as incomplete VA treatment records. The Veteran is required to provide updated employment information and a VA Form 21-8940.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased disability ratings for various conditions have been dismissed due to her withdrawal of the claims.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance is granted from April 30, 2014 to April 8, 2020. The other issues are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since February 2, 2007. The Board finds that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether he was precluded by his service-connected disabilities from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment in occupations related to his education, training, and work experience.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his exposure at Camp Lejeune, as well as his TDIU claim. The claims will be reviewed again with a focus on obtaining TERA examinations and opinions.