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

The Veteran's son, B.G., was found to be permanently incapable of self-support prior to age 18 due to his mental health conditions and joint pain. The Board granted the Veteran's request for recognition as an adult dependent.

The Veteran's appeal regarding the timeliness of a May 2023 VA Form 10182 is dismissed as his Motion for Extension of Time was granted, making the form timely.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral feet disability was granted in a March 16, 2021 rating decision with an effective date of that day. However, the Board found that the Veteran did not file a timely substantive appeal and thus denied his request for an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right knee disability, left knee disability, and bilateral flatfoot disability were denied as the evidence did not show any compensable limitation of motion or functional loss that would warrant higher ratings under VA rating criteria.

The appeal for service connection of bilateral pes planus is dismissed. The right hip condition issue has been remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for lumbar spondylosis and DDD, bilateral pes planus, gout, right knee degenerative arthritis and gout, left knee degenerative arthritis and gout, right great toe degenerative arthritis and gout, and left great toe degenerative arthritis were granted effective from May 7, 2010. The Board found no legal basis to award an earlier effective date for any of these grants.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, bilateral foot disability, knee disability, or great toe disability prior to May 7, 2010 were not pending and thus denied.

The Board has found new and relevant evidence for the Veteran's claims of service connection for left foot disability and right knee disability. The case is being remanded to consider these issues on their merits.

The Board has denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and remanded the issue of service connection for a bilateral foot disorder. The decision on appeal did not explicitly address the right foot, but the available evidence supports finding current disabilities impacting both feet.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings in excess of 30 percent for bilateral plantar fasciitis with calcaneal spur and hallux valgus, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran. The appeal is not about service connection but rather a request for increased ratings.

The Veteran's left foot plantar fasciitis was granted service connection. His bilateral hearing loss and obstructive sleep apnea were denied.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus has been granted a 30 percent rating effective December 7, 2020.,The Veteran's bilateral hammertoe disability is denied as her symptoms do not warrant an increased rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented her from securing or following substantially gainful employment since March 31, 2019. The claims for increased ratings were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings.

The appeal regarding the propriety of severing service connection for bilateral pes planus is dismissed.,Service connection for a right knee disability is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate opinions and a need for further development regarding the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of left foot plantar wart removal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis was granted effective April 28, 2014. The rating assigned is 30 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral pes planus did not undergo an increase in severity during service, and therefore, the presumption of aggravation is rebutted. As a result, the claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and remanded the issues of lower back pain, right knee pain, and bilateral pes planus.

The Board has granted service connection for left foot plantar fasciitis but dismissed the claim for service connection of a left ankle condition.

The Veteran's hearing loss is not service-connected as it did not meet the criteria for VA purposes at separation.,Service connection is granted for tinnitus, with continuity of symptoms from service to present.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as her combined evaluation does not reach the required percentage threshold, and there is no evidence that she is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to her service-connected conditions.