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

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral flat foot and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete opinions in previous VA examinations. The Veteran's pes planus may be aggravated by his service-connected hallux valgus, and his major depressive disorder is not caused but may be aggravated by his service-connected tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of an adequate VA examination and development, including obtaining private treatment records.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to warrant readjudication of the previously denied claim for service connection for a disability of the feet. The AOJ is instructed to obtain additional records from community care providers, schedule an examination to address the etiology of pes planus and plantar fasciitis, and provide updated opinions on these issues.

Your appeal has been dismissed because the March 15, 2021 VBA letter rejecting your request for Higher-Level Review is not an appealable decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, rhinitis, bilateral foot disability (plantar fasciitis), and gastrointestinal disorder (IBS) are denied due to lack of evidence supporting a current disability or relationship to service. The claims have been remanded for further development.,The Board has also determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, rhinitis, bilateral foot disability (plantar fasciitis), and gastrointestinal disorder (IBS) are denied due to lack of evidence supporting a current disability or relationship to service. The claims have been remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus, right shoulder strain, and back disability due to unresolved issues.

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

The Board dismissed the appeal for an increased rating in excess of 50 percent for sleep apnea due to untimeliness. The Veteran's appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, asthma, sinusitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), hypertension, headaches, bilateral plantar fasciitis, sciatica, right knee disability, left knee disability, and an acquired psychiatric disability were denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to September 9, 2020 for a 50% increased rating for bilateral pes planus. The evidence did not show increased symptomatology warranting an earlier effective date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral flat foot (pes planus) and plantar fasciitis, as well as a lumbar spine condition. The AOJ will consider new evidence in their adjudication of these claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for reentry into VR&E independent living services due to a lack of evidence showing his disabilities have worsened to the point he has sustained a substantial loss of independence following his previous determination of rehabilitation.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is granted with a rating of 40 percent effective April 26, 2020. The Veteran's left foot disability remains at a 30 percent rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of a right foot disability and an initial rating higher than 10 percent for thoracolumbar strain with scoliosis, finding that there was no current diagnosis of these conditions. The claim for increased rating for thoracolumbar strain with scoliosis was remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to August 30, 2018, for a 30 percent rating of her bilateral flat feet. The Board found that there was no factually ascertainable increase in her service-connected bilateral flat foot disability within one year prior to her August 30, 2018 claim.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral pes planus was denied as his disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5276, which pertains to severe bilateral pes planus.

The appeal for service connection for plantar fasciitis, bilateral (claimed as tendonitis, plantar fasciitis) was improperly docketed and dismissed because the May18, 2021, VA Form 10182 Notice of Disagreement attempted to appeal a deferred issue.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus and assigned a 30 percent rating effective June 17, 2019. The Veteran's right femur disability aggravated his pre-existing bilateral pes planus beyond its natural progression.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis is being remanded due to an inadequate VA examination. The Board will schedule the Veteran for a new examination to assess the severity of his disability.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left foot disabilities, including hallux rigidus and flexible pes planus, finding a causal relationship to military service.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher evaluation of his bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis and post-traumatic arthritis was granted, effective June 2, 2019. The rating assigned is now 50 percent. An earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea has been dismissed.