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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus likely began during her active service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and her fatigue is attributed to her service-connected hypothyroidism disability. The lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and bilateral plantar fasciitis are all remanded for further review.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral flat feet (pes planus) due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The AOJ will consider any additional evidence when the claim is readjudicated.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis and arthritis, and bilateral hallux valgus were denied. The effective date of the award was set at April 9, 2020.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypoglycemia, hypertension, flat feet, and an upper respiratory infection are being remanded due to the need for additional development of medical records and opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral foot disability, right knee degenerative arthritis with patella tendonitis, and left knee degenerative arthritis with patella tendonitis. The decision is based on the Veteran's consistent reports of pain during service and post-service, as well as the absence of any intervening injuries or medical evidence contradicting his claims.

The Board has determined that the submitted evidence does not provide new and relevant information to support readjudication of the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a groin disability, a right ankle disability, and bilateral plantar fasciitis.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to a duty to assist error regarding his service-connected left foot disability prior to November 1, 2016. A VA examination is needed to assess the impact of these disabilities on his occupational activities and functioning.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as they have withdrawn the appeal seeking increased ratings and service connection for various conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus and remanded the issue of service connection for plantar fasciitis, other than pes planus. The Veteran's claim for aggravation of her service-connected disabilities due to bilateral pes planus is also pending.

The Veteran's service-connected flatfoot (pes planus) with bilateral plantar fasciitis was denied for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent and a rating in excess of 30 percent from December 7, 2020 to April 11, 2021, and effective April 12, 2021 respectively.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete records and inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered with new evidence and opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to duty-to-assist errors, and a new VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's bilateral pes planus was aggravated during service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial evaluation of 50 percent for bilateral pes planus is granted, effective November 20, 2015. The Board found that the Veteran has continuously pursued his claim and that the April 18, 2019 and August 20, 2019 VA foot examinations supported a 50 percent rating for bilateral pes planus.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including dyslipidemia, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, erectile dysfunction (ED), chronic sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, right shoulder and left shoulder disabilities, right hip and left hip disabilities, bilateral foot disabilities, right ankle and left ankle disabilities, right knee and left knee disabilities, and bilateral plantar fasciitis. The decision is based on the absence of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's hypertension, allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, upper extremity disability (chronic joint pain, DDD, DJD), lumbar spine disability (lumbosacral strain), plantar fasciitis, sciatica, and insomnia have not been found to be service-connected.,There is no evidence of current disabilities related to the Veteran's claimed conditions during or recent to the pendency of his claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including alopecia, bilateral epiphora (watery eyes), athlete's feet and toenail fungus, foot bunions, pes planus, left ankle condition, right great toe disability, and loss of balance have all been denied. The Board found that there is no current evidence of these conditions at the time of the claims or proximate to their filing.,The Veteran also attempted to establish service connection for his bilateral lower extremity disabilities as secondary to a back disability, but this claim was not addressed in detail and remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, qualifying for TDIU. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for SMC at the housebound rate.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a sleep disorder, lung disability (including pneumonia, bronchitis, and COPD), neck disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, and bilateral foot disability are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Board has remanded the claims for pes planus, cervical spine condition, low back condition, and sinus disability due to duty-to-assist errors that occurred prior to the March 2021 rating decision on appeal.