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

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for eligibility to specially adapted housing (SAH) or special home adaptation (SHA) benefits due to his combined rating of 80 percent.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus, lumbar strain, migraines, arthritis (bilateral feet, knees, and hands as well as the left elbow), and sleep apnea are preventing him from securing or following any substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the percentage requirements for a schedular TDIU rating. The Board finds there is not sufficient evidence to substantiate a reasonable possibility that the Veteran is unemployable due to service-connected disabilities and that TDIU benefits are not warranted because the Veteran is not unable to obtain and sustain financially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for a left ankle condition and left ear hearing loss, finding no evidence of in-service injury or disease that could be linked to the current conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates for increased ratings on bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis, lumbosacral strain, and tension headaches are dismissed as they were part of pending claims in the VA's legacy appeal system.

The Veteran's NOD was timely filed, and the AOJ should provide him with a Statement of the Case regarding his claims for service connection for lumbar disability, obstructive sleep apnea, earlier effective date for bilateral plantar fasciitis, and increased rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his right shoulder disability is dismissed as the issue was part of an earlier legacy appeal.,The Veteran's appeal for SMC based on aid and attendance or housebound is dismissed because it has already been granted for the current appeal period.,The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his bilateral foot disability is denied as he is already in receipt of the maximum schedular rating.,The Veteran's appeal for an effective date prior to September 7, 2022 for the grant of a 70 percent disability rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied due to lack of evidence showing worsening during the year prior to his claim.,The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no basis for an earlier effective date.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus, finding that the Veteran's condition was aggravated by his military service.

The Board has dismissed all issues of appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to errors in duty to assist, including verification of periods of active duty and reserve service. The Veteran's pre-existing left foot status post fracture is being evaluated for aggravation during service, and his current hallux valgus and hallux rigidus are being evaluated for their etiology.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for right foot pain, including pes planus, plantar fasciitis, Morton's neuroma, degenerative arthritis, and hammer toes. The decision is based on a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, but the issue of whether bilateral pes planus is related to service and if so, whether it was caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability (specifically bilateral plantar fasciitis) remains pending.

The Veteran's left-hand little finger and ring finger disabilities have been rated as noncompensable under the applicable rating criteria.,The Veteran's right foot and left foot disabilities have also been rated as noncompensable.

The appeals concerning various disabilities and benefits have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has determined that a new direct service connection opinion is needed to address the Veteran's claim for bilateral pes planus, as the previous opinion did not adequately consider his lay reports of foot pain since entry into active service.

The appeal for an increased rating for plantar fasciitis is dismissed.,Service connection for a cervical spine disability and lumbar spine disability are granted. Service connection for a right shoulder disability is denied. The issues of service connection for right hip disability and left hip disability are remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus, right knee disability, and left knee disability were granted service connection from October 25, 2007. The adjudicator incorrectly applied the provisions regarding the presumption of aggravation in April 2008, leading to a grant of service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, right knee and left knee conditions, hearing loss, tinnitus, and back issues, rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment from September 25, 2017, to January 14, 2020. The Board granted the Veteran's claim for TDIU based on these disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased rating of his service-connected bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis, effective June 6, 2023.