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

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his orthopedic conditions and diabetes mellitus, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for pes planus and a right wrist disability due to insufficient compliance with prior remand instructions.

The Veteran's PTSD with unspecified neurocognitive disorder and unspecified sleep-wake disorder is granted a 100 percent rating. The Veteran's left maxillary sinusitis is granted a 30 percent rating, but not higher. The Veteran's right foot pes planus is granted an initial 10 percent rating prior to February 17, 2015, and denied for any rating in excess of 20 percent beginning February 17, 2015.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and bilateral flat feet were denied, with the effective date set at May 24, 2017.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and bilateral foot disability (claimed as frostbite of the feet) are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their relationship to service. Additional VA treatment records must be obtained, and new medical opinions are needed to address whether these conditions are related to toxic exposure risk activities or service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's left ankle strain and degenerative joint disease of the left first metatarsal are currently rated at 10 percent each, with no higher ratings allowed under current regulations.,The Veteran's lower extremity radiculopathy and compression parasthesia associated with lumbosacral strain since March 17, 2023 is also rated at 10 percent.

The Board remands the claims for service connection and an increased rating for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and a contemporaneous examination.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for a new examination to assess his lumbar spine disability, pes planus, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy. The examiner must consider the severity of flare-ups and functional limitations caused by these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete adjudication, and requires issuance of a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC).

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to conflicting medical evidence and a need for clarification of residuals from the service-connected right 5th metatarsal fracture.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been granted. The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a bilateral eye disability, cervical spine disability (claimed as cervical strain), lumbar spine disability (claimed as lumbar strain), right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and bilateral plantar fasciitis are remanded. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than an insomnia disorder (to include posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)) is also remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right foot disability, left foot disability, and an acquired psychological disability to include depression due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including pes planus, back impairment, right hip impairment, gastritis, diabetes, and related neuropathies have been granted. The effective dates are not specified as the claim was filed within one year of separation from service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination. The Veteran's claims for service connection are not granted as there is no current disability.

The Veteran was found to be unemployable due to service-connected disabilities from September 30, 2011 to September 25, 2019. The Board determined that the service-connected conditions significantly impeded his ability to maintain substantially gainful employment during this period.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis and a left foot disability (plantar fasciitis and a left heel spur) on the basis of chronic disease presumptive under 38 C.F.R. § 3.303(b). The decision is based on evidence showing current diagnoses, an in-service injury, and continuous symptoms since service separation.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's current bilateral foot disability is related to her active service or a pre-existing condition. The Veteran contends that her current disabilities are caused by marching in ill-fitting military boots and shoes during service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for nummular eczema and costochondritis due to a lack of current diagnoses.,The Board also remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for plantar warts and a headache disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional private treatment records and consideration of whether a different or additional Diagnostic Code should be used.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from January 8, 2018, to March 29, 2022.,Prior to January 8, 2018, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.