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

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities made him unemployable prior to December 8, 2023. After that date, his disability rating was increased to 100%, making the TDIU issue moot.

The Veteran's left and right lower extremity paresthesias were granted an increased rating of 20 percent effective May 28, 2019.,Bilateral pes planus and bilateral plantar fasciitis were granted a 30 percent rating effective September 11, 2018.

The Veteran's right foot pes planus required treatment involving the immobilization by cast, without surgery, of a major extremity. The Board granted entitlement to a temporary total evaluation for convalescence.

The Veteran's eye condition, myopic astigmatism, is not service-connected as it was present prior to service and no superimposed disease or injury occurred during service.,There is no evidence of a current chronic headache disorder related to the Veteran's service. The Veteran's migraine headaches are not service-connected.,Hearing loss and tinnitus were not shown in service, did not manifest within a presumptive period, and there was no continuity of symptomatology attributable to service.,The Veteran's sleep apnea is not service-connected as it is not related to any service-connected disability.

The Board has denied service connection for recurrent right hip, left knee, and left foot disabilities as well as diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's claims were based on his own statements of experiencing symptoms during active service, but no medical evidence supports these assertions.

The Veteran's claims for right ear hearing loss, bilateral foot disability (claimed as flatfeet with numbness), headaches, and dizziness have been readjudicated due to new evidence. The claims are granted in part.,New VA medical examinations are required to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed headache and dizziness disabilities.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to readjudicate the claim of entitlement to service connection for a right foot condition. The claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including adjustment disorder with depressed mood and anxiety disorder, are also remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a new examination and medical opinion regarding her bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis, as the prior examination was inadequate.

The Board has dismissed the appeal of entitlement to service connection for valvular heart disease due to its withdrawal by the Veteran. The claims of service connection for a respiratory disability, pes planus, and left ear hearing loss are being remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for a new VA examination to address whether the Veteran's pes planus preexisted service and was aggravated by service, as well as to determine the cause of his hallux valgus.

The Board has restored the Veteran's disability ratings for bilateral pes planus and knee patellar subluxation, finding that her conditions have not improved under ordinary life circumstances.

The Board has denied service connection for various disabilities, including left foot disability, right foot disability, hearing disability (including as tinnitus and hearing loss), PFB, right eye disability, left arm disability, and hypertension. The claims are based on direct service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of an adequate nexus opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral pes planus. The claim will be returned for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's appeal concerning the issues of hypertension, lumbosacral strain, and bilateral pes planus has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as he does not have a current disability. The claims for tinnitus, headaches, left knee pain, right knee pain, irritable bowel syndrome, left shoulder pain, right shoulder pain, left ankle pain, left hand arthritis, right hand arthritis, numbness in the legs and feet, foot pain/plantar fasciitis/heel spurs, lumbago/back pain, neck pain have all been remanded for further examination.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for bilateral hearing loss, PTSD with drug dependency, nightmares and insomnia, and a right foot disability. As a result, the claims are dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including back, knee, foot, and hip conditions, are found to preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment. As a result, the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his military service and considering new evidence submitted since the previous denial.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for specially adapted housing and special home adaptation grants because her service-connected conditions do not meet the eligibility criteria under VA regulations.

The rating reduction from 50 percent to 30 percent for bilateral pes planus was proper due to improvement in the disability as shown by recent VA examination.