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

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right foot disability manifested by pain, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy. The decision is based on the Veteran's competent and credible lay reports of continuous symptoms since separation from active duty.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including ED, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and hearing loss. The cases are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's pre-existing pes planus was aggravated by service. The case will be reviewed with a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a right shoulder disability, a bilateral knee disability, and a right foot disability due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis is rated at 50 percent effective March 14, 2021.

The Board has determined that there was a pre-decisional duty to assist error in the original decision and has remanded the cases for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right foot plantar fasciitis with pes planus was received by VA on December 15, 2018. The effective date of the award is set at this receipt date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral foot disabilities due to insufficient information in the VA opinions provided. The AOJ will consider all relevant evidence of record, including subsequent VA treatment records and the Veteran's September 2022 argument on the VA Form 20-0995.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus is denied because the condition was not aggravated by or during active duty. The claim for residuals from chronic upper respiratory infections and/or pneumonia is also denied as there is no current diagnosis of such a condition.

The Veteran's petition to reconsider the claim of entitlement to service connection for hearing loss has been denied as new and relevant evidence was not received.,The Veteran's petition to reconsider the claim of entitlement to service connection for left hip condition has been denied as new and relevant evidence was not received.,The Veteran's petition to reconsider the claim of entitlement to service connection for difficulty breathing, shortness of breath has been denied as new and relevant evidence was not received.,The Veteran's petition to reconsider the claim of entitlement to service connection for left leg peripheral neuropathy (also claimed as bilateral leg cramps) has been denied as new and relevant evidence was not received.,The Veteran's petition to reconsider the claim of entitlement to service connection for right leg peripheral neuropathy (also claimed as bilateral leg cramps) has been denied as new and relevant evidence was not received.,The Veteran's petition to reconsider the claim of entitlement to service connection for plantar fasciitis (also claimed as bilateral foot pain) has been denied as new and relevant evidence was not received.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, cervicalgia, left hand condition, right hand condition, hearing loss, and tinnitus as there is no evidence of these conditions during or after service.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for a bilateral foot disability due to insufficient medical evidence and an inadequate examination report. The Veteran contends that his bilateral foot disabilities are related to overcompensating from his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss is denied.,The appeal of entitlement to service connection for cervical condition is dismissed.,The appeal of entitlement to service connection for major depressive disorder with anxiety is dismissed.,The appeal of entitlement to service connection for PTSD under the modernized review system is dismissed.,The appeal of entitlement to service connection for bilateral pes planus and hallux valgus is dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral foot disabilities, including pes planus and plantar fasciitis, is remanded due to inadequate VA examinations. The Board finds the previous VA examiners' opinions insufficient and requires additional development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a bilateral foot disability (claimed as pes planus) are remanded due to inadequate medical examinations. The AOJ must obtain additional development by scheduling VA examinations and providing adequate rationale in their opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus did not increase in severity during his service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection based on aggravation of a pre-existing condition.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for initial compensable ratings and service connection for IBS, back disability, bilateral foot disability, fibromyalgia, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The Veteran's son is not eligible for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits because he was already 26 years old at the time his father received a disability rating of 100 percent, which established basic eligibility to Chapter 35 DEA benefits. The appellant's 26th birthday occurred before the effective date of the Veteran's permanent and total service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examinations and failure to consider all relevant evidence. The Veteran's PTSD, back disability, bilateral foot disability, cervical strain, left knee condition, right parapatella tendonitis and patellar tendonosis (claimed as knee condition), left shoulder tenosynovitis, and sleep apnea are being reviewed.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for right foot disability and service connection for left foot disability has been dismissed due to the Board lacking jurisdiction over these issues.,The Veteran's appeal regarding a higher rating for PTSD and TBI, as well as migraine headaches and right ankle disability, is also dismissed.