Foot (incl. plantar fasciitis, flat feet) Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal for educational assistance benefits at a rate higher than 60 percent under the Post-9/11 GI Bill is denied because he did not have 36 months of creditable active duty service, and his discharge was due to 'miscellaneous/general reasons' rather than a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral pes planus and Achilles tendonitis, hypertension, and degenerative arthritis of the spine with spondylosis are being remanded due to several issues needing further examination and consideration.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for service connection of residuals of bilateral foot cold injury with plantar fascitis and a mood disorder, but remanded the issues of increased rating and TDIU.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder and bilateral pes planus, finding that the evidence did not support a current disability related to service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including a lumbar spine disability with right leg radiculopathy, a right eye disability, a left hand disability, a right knee disability, a right toenail disability, and a bilateral foot disability. The AOJ will verify any periods of active duty training (ACDUTRA) or inactive duty training (INACDUTRA), obtain authorization for the Veteran's medical records from Wentzville, Missouri, and schedule examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder, shin splints, and foot disorders other than pes planus. The decision on whether these conditions are related to service is pending.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left knee disability, back disability, right foot disability, headaches, and RSD of bilateral lower extremities due to incomplete VA opinions.

The Veteran's bilateral heel plantar fasciitis, left tibialis muscle strain, right tibialis muscle strain, left patellofemoral pain syndrome, and right patellofemoral pain syndrome have been granted increased ratings. The Veteran is now rated at 30 percent for her bilateral heel plantar fasciitis from November 1, 2012.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for his service connection ratings for left and right lower extremity plantar fasciitis with metatarsalgia, finding that there was no factual ascertainable worsening of his service-connected foot disability within one year prior to his filing a claim.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for her low back disability is denied. The Board found that the objective medical findings did not support a higher rating, despite the Veteran's reported symptoms and functional limitations. Her claim for TDIU was granted as she met the schedular requirements and had service-connected disabilities rated at least 60% combined.

The Board denied service connection for left and right shoulder disabilities, left hand disabilities, right hand disabilities, left foot disabilities, and right foot disabilities due to insufficient evidence showing a current disability related to service.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus has been rated at 50% since November 22, 2012. The rating is effective from the date of the October 2010 claim.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, but remanded them due to insufficient evidence or further development is needed.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral pes planus and left abducens palsy, as well as his TDIU claim, are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development and consideration, including service connection claims and rating determinations.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues including a request for an increased rating for his bilateral sinus tarsi syndrome with plantar fasciitis, service connection claims for right and left ankle disabilities, and service connection claims for low back and right knee conditions. The Board has determined that these issues are inextricably intertwined and require additional examination to address the scope of service-connected disability.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar degenerative disc disease with radiculopathy and bilateral pes planus with arthritis, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for dental implants is denied as the condition does not meet the criteria for compensation purposes.,A 10 percent initial rating for hypertension has been granted, effective from September 1, 2012.

The Board has determined that further medical opinions are needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for hemorrhoids, right foot disability, and left foot disability due to conflicting examination opinions and lack of post-service medical records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to incomplete VA treatment records, particularly for the claimed conditions of pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) and kidney disorder. Additionally, a VA examination is needed to determine if hypertension is related to service.