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

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left foot disorders other than plantar fasciitis, finding that new VA etiology opinions are needed to address the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis with pes planus caused him to become obese, which was a substantial factor in causing his obstructive sleep apnea. Therefore, the claim for secondary service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete STRs and a need for additional development, including obtaining missing records from active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, right ankle disability, and left ankle disability have been denied. The Board has also remanded the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea (OSA), acquired psychiatric disability including PTSD and depression, right foot disability, and left foot disability.,For his right ear hearing loss, the Veteran was not granted a compensable rating.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is dismissed because he is already receiving a combined schedular rating of 100% for his service-connected disabilities, which means he does not have any single disability rated as totally disabling and thus does not meet the criteria for SMC at the housebound rate.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, GERD, headaches, hypertension, sleep disorder, and plantar fasciitis are remanded due to a duty to assist error. A VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for allergic rhinitis, left hand scar, and obstructive sleep apnea have been denied. The right foot disability (plantar fasciitis) and right shoulder disability claims are remanded for further review.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine its etiology and whether it is related to service or secondary to his service-connected bilateral knee condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral foot disability was aggravated by active service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection due to lack of statutory or regulatory authority, and the AOJ correctly started payment in October 2021.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus, rated at 10% from January 24, 2013, to May 10, 2015, is now rated at 30%, effective from that date. The Board also granted an earlier effective date for individual unemployability before May 11, 2015.

The Veteran's left foot pes planus is rated at 30 percent, which meets the criteria for this disability.

The Veteran's service connection claims for right foot pes planus, left knee strain, and right hip strain are all granted. The left knee and right hip strains are found to be secondary to the service-connected right foot disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's bilateral pes planus and hallux valgus and his military service, as well as secondary service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions obtained prior to the April 2021 rating decision were inadequate, particularly regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions. The claims for service connection are being remanded to allow for further development and consideration.

The Board has dismissed the issue of entitlement to an increased rating for a lumbar spine disability due to improper docketing as an AMA appeal. The earlier effective date claims for TDIU and DEA are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions and duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The effective date of the 70% rating for persistent depressive disorder was granted.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus and other service-connected conditions have been evaluated based on their current severity, with no higher ratings granted. The Veteran is not entitled to increased evaluations for his service-connected disabilities.

Service connection is granted for bilateral flat foot (pes planus) with plantar fasciitis and low back pain. Service connection for low back pain is remanded.