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

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his bilateral foot disability, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a 50 percent rating under DC 5278 due to lack of all toes hammer toes.

The appeal for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea is dismissed. Service connection for a right foot disability is granted.

The Board has denied service connection for sleep apnea, right foot disability, sinusitis, and right ear hearing loss as there is no evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a right ankle and/or foot disability due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of his condition. The AOJ is instructed to attempt to obtain an opinion without requiring an in-person examination, if necessary.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left foot plantar fasciitis are being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination. The AOJ has attempted multiple times to contact the Veteran by phone and mail, but has been unsuccessful.

The Veteran's appeal for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for his service-connected left shoulder disability was dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of the appeal.,The claim for service connection for headaches has been reopened based on new and material evidence. The Board finds that the Veteran's headache disability is at least as likely as not related to his military service.,The issue of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis was remanded.,The issue of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus was remanded.,The issue of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for a low back disability was remanded.,Service connection for erectile dysfunction (ED) is remanded.,Service connection for a sleep disorder, to include sleep apnea, is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a headache disability, right ankle disability, and right foot hallux valgus, plantar fasciitis, status post bunionectomy (right foot disability) have been denied.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for intermittent recurrent bronchitis has also been denied.

The Veteran's claim for a 10 percent rating for painful scar, post right shoulder surgery is granted with an effective date of July 6, 2017. Service connection for allergic rhinitis and status post right tibia fracture are remanded due to new evidence received after the initial decision. The service connection for pes planus remains on appeal.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his military service.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim for service connection for a restrictive airway disease with mild intermittent asthma was granted. The claim is presumed to be connected to service due to exposure to burn pits and other toxins under the PACT Act.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as new evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Board has added new evidence and is remanding the cases for further review by the AOJ.

The Veteran's vertigo, seizure disorder, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability (lumbar spinal stenosis, lumbar spondylolisthesis, and spondylosis with radiculopathy), diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, bilateral eye disability, tinnitus, hypertension, chronic memory loss disability, chronic headache disability, major depressive disorder, right foot disability, right knee disability, arthritis, left foot disability, left knee disability, left hip disability, and right hip disability are not supported by evidence of record.,The Veteran's service connection claims for vertigo, seizure disorder, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability (lumbar spinal stenosis, lumbar spondylolisthesis, and spondylosis with radiculopathy), diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, bilateral eye disability, tinnitus, hypertension, chronic memory loss disability, chronic headache disability, major depressive disorder, right foot disability, right knee disability, arthritis, left foot disability, left knee disability, left hip disability, and right hip disability are denied.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his service-connected plantar warts of the bilateral foot and TDIU is being remanded due to additional evidence added to the file since the July 2023 statement of the case. The issues will be readjudicated, and a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC) will be issued.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete medical records and failure to develop secondary service connection claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including right knee, left knee, neck, back, sleep, constipation, and bilateral foot disabilities. The remand requires obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions and whether they are related to service.

The Veteran's reactive airway dysfunction syndrome is granted as service-connected. The issues of service connection for a bilateral foot disability and low back disability are remanded.

The Veteran's costochondritis/Tietze's syndrome is not rated as compensable, as the symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA's tables.,VA has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine if the Veteran's bilateral foot conditions are related to service. The Veteran should be provided with an examination and opinions regarding his claimed bilateral tarsal tunnel syndrome and plantar nerve damage.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral plantar warts and calluses on both feet due to incomplete development, including missing treatment records from 1980. The Veteran's representative seeks a VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development, including a retrospective assessment of the Veteran's flare-ups throughout the entire appeal period.