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

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for obesity as secondary to his service-connected plantar fasciitis with pes planus has been withdrawn, and the claim is dismissed. The Veteran also withdrew his appeal seeking an increased evaluation for sleep apnea.

The Board has granted service connection for left plantar fasciitis, finding that the Veteran's condition started in service and has continued since then.

The Board denied service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability, right knee disability, and bilateral pes planus (claimed bilateral foot pain) as the evidence did not establish that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.,There is no direct evidence linking any of these disabilities to service. The Veteran's preexisting conditions were not shown to be aggravated during his period of active duty.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including back and knee conditions, achilles tendonitis, and sinusitis, have precluded her from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to March 26, 2020. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise that these disabilities prevented her from working.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various conditions, including right eye injuries and tinnitus. The AOJ is instructed to review the new evidence provided in the August 2022 Memorandum of Record and issue a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC) if an issue remains denied.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral foot disability other than calluses, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses of plantar fasciitis, hallux valgus, and metatarsalgia did not begin during active service and are not related to any in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance, leading to the grant of SMC based on aid and attendance.

The petition to reopen the previously denied claim of service connection for bilateral pes planus is denied.,The petition to reopen the previously denied claim of service connection for a low back disability is denied. The appeal is remanded due to new evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, fallen arches, and flat feet are remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been denied as it is not secondary to a service-connected condition or caused by an in-service injury.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to April 9, 2022, has also been denied due to the presence of other service-connected disabilities that allow him to engage in substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's hypertension, costochondritis, and bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis have been granted initial ratings. The hypertension was rated at 10%, the costochondritis at 20%, and the bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis were rated at 10% prior to February 26, 2019.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for eczema and bilateral plantar fasciitis has been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.

The Board has dismissed all claims due to the appellant's withdrawal of her appeal.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral foot condition and plantar fasciitis, finding that the Veteran's preexisting conditions did not worsen during service and that there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is remanded as there is evidence suggesting a secondary relationship to his GERD, which is already service-connected.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for right lateral epicondylitis and olecranon bursitis of the elbow is also remanded due to lack of current diagnosis.

The Veteran's hypertension has been granted service connection, and a 10 percent evaluation for bilateral pes planus prior to September 14, 2021, is granted. The appeal is dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claims for other issues.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for bilateral pes planus, gout, ankle/foot disability manifested by instep and heel pain, other than pes planus, and a knee disability due to carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment, or similar instance of fault on the part of VA.

The Board has found that the Veteran's claims of earlier effective dates for TDIU, SMC based on housebound status, and DEA are inextricably intertwined with his claim for a higher disability rating for bilateral pes planus. The AOJ is ordered to complete additional development as necessary, including completing a VA Form 8, before readjudicating the claims.

The Board has decided that remand is necessary to obtain medical opinions regarding the Veteran's service-connected conditions and their potential contribution to his death, as well as to attempt to obtain relevant treatment records.

The Board has remanded the claims due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran and because SSA records have not been obtained. The RO must review all of this new evidence before making a decision.