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

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding service connection for various foot conditions, sleep apnea, and spine disability due to the Veteran's withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding service connection for a stomach disability.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss, pes planus (left foot), and left forearm disability are denied. Service connection for sleep apnea remains in dispute.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are denied. The AOJ is directed to obtain a VA medical examination addressing the nature and etiology of the claimed conditions, specifically plantar fasciitis in the left foot.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and sustaining employment, thus denying his claim for TDIU.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral pes planus, finding that the Veteran did not have a current disability of either foot that began in service or was otherwise etiologically related to service. The evidence showed no complaints or treatment for pes planus during service and no post-service medical records.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, back disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy (radiculopathy), left hip disability, bilateral knee disability, and bilateral foot disability have all been denied as there is no evidence of in-service incurrence or aggravation.

The Veteran's bilateral foot pes planus with plantar fasciitis and heel spurs is granted an initial disability rating of 30 percent. The Veteran's residuals of left foot 3rd and 4th metatarsals status post fracture are denied a compensable rating prior to September 16, 2021, but granted in excess of 20 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for traumatic arthritis of the left knee and plantar fasciitis of the right foot prior to January 2, 2024, are being remanded due to a duty-to-assist error. The claim for TDIU is also being remanded as it was not raised by the Veteran prior to the September 2021 rating decision on appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's application for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant should be remanded due to a regulatory error in determining his eligibility based on permanent and total service-connected disability.

The Veteran's bilateral foot condition, including pes planus, plantar fasciitis, calcaneal bursitis, and calcaneal spurs, is rated at 30 percent disabling since March 20, 2017.

The Veteran's service connection claim for schizophrenia is granted. The claim for a left foot disability is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset and relationship of a left foot disability to service. The Veteran's statements about an in-service injury are considered, but further medical examination is needed.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disability and myasthenia gravis with intermittent diplopia are rated at the maximum schedular ratings, and entitlement to TDIU is granted.

The Board remands the claim for service connection of bilateral plantar fasciitis as secondary to a service-connected lumbar spine disability and/or obstructive sleep apnea with obesity due to inadequate VA examination opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis is related to service, and thus granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to errors in obtaining VA treatment records and opinions. The Veteran is entitled to bilateral hearing loss, but not to left ear hearing loss as there is no current diagnosis. Service connection is granted for plantar warts of the feet. The Board finds that additional medical opinions are needed regarding his knee, cervical spine, and lumbar spine disabilities due to a lack of consideration of the Veteran's competent statements about continuity of symptoms.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection and the assigned disability rating has been withdrawn by his representative.

The appeal for service connection of bilateral plantar fasciitis is dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board remanded the claims for readjudication and further development, as new and relevant evidence had been submitted since the prior denials.

The Veteran's headaches are granted as secondary to service-connected tinnitus. The scar to the forehead, left knee disability, and left arm disability are denied. Service connection for pes planus is also denied.