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

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with obtaining VA Behavioral Health Autopsy Program (BHAP) records and obtaining an adequate medical opinion regarding the cause of the Veteran's death. The appellant contends that the Veteran's service-connected conditions, including hydrocodone prescribed for COPD, contributed to his suicide.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including back disability, left foot disability, TBI, and forehead scar, are not related to his in-service motor vehicle accident due to intoxication. The MVA was found to be caused by the Veteran's own willful misconduct.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including major depressive disorder and bilateral plantar fasciitis, have prevented him from securing and following gainful employment since January 5, 2021.

The appeals of the denial of service connection for various conditions are dismissed due to the AMA effective date. The Veteran's initial ratings for hemorrhoids and asthma are granted.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to a duty to assist error involving employment records from his former employers.

The Veteran's reduction in rating for thoracolumbar spine scoliosis from 20 percent to 10 percent was not proper, and the 20 percent rating is restored.,The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for right lower extremity radiculopathy, right knee osteoarthritis, and bilateral plantar fasciitis remains pending.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis is rated at a noncompensable (0%) level, but the Board has granted an initial 10% rating effective from September 21, 2016.,The Veteran's IBS is rated at the highest schedular rating of 30%, effective from September 21, 2016. The appeal for service connection for a headache disorder was also granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral pes planus disability was aggravated by his active military service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied service connection for sinusitis and remanded the claims of left foot pes planus, right foot pes planus, and back disability as secondary to bilateral pes planus due to inadequate medical opinions in the February 2020 VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right achilles tendonitis. The claim of bilateral plantar fasciitis is remanded due to a duty to assist error.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was granted, as new and relevant evidence supported reconsideration of the issue. The Board found that the Veteran had a current diagnosis of tinnitus and that it is related to his military service.,The appeal for bilateral plantar fasciitis remains pending due to insufficient medical opinion regarding its onset in or relation to service.

The Board has granted service connection for low back pain, tinnitus, right knee strain, left knee status post arthroscopy, and bilateral flat feet. The claims for service connection for these conditions are all considered to be direct service connections based on evidence of in-service injury or event.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted due to the submission of new and relevant evidence. The specific disabilities are lung disability, lumbar spine disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, left foot disability (claimed as Morton's neuroma with hammer toes and foot tumor pain), and right foot disability (claimed as Morton's neuroma with hammer toes and foot tumor pain).

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for hepatitis C, dermatitis, hallux valgus of the left foot, pes planus of the left foot, and epididymitis due to a failure to provide notice of hearing rights before issuing the initial decision in October 2019.

The Veteran's appeal for reopening his claim of service connection for residual scar of the left eyeball and flat feet with severe pain has been dismissed due to a request by his attorney to withdraw the appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability related to his active duty service, and therefore denied service connection for arthritis of the left foot, right foot, and bilateral pes planus.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a left foot disability, finding that there is no causal relationship between his current condition and his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus with osteoarthritis and right ankle disorder were granted service connection as they are considered aggravated by in-service injuries.

The claim for service connection for plantar warts of the left foot is being remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its etiology. The Veteran's history and current condition will be evaluated, along with any potential environmental or toxic exposure in service.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on aid and attendance is remanded due to incomplete medical records and the need for a detailed examination.