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

The Veteran withdrew her appeals for increased ratings for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis and metatarsalgia, as well as for entitlement to a TDIU.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, bilateral flat feet, and lumbar spine degenerative joint disease are all granted as service connected.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected anxiety disorder and opioid pain medications. The claims for left hip disability, right hip disability, bilateral ocular disability, respiratory disability, hypogonadism with erectile dysfunction, skin condition, recurrent sprains of the left ankle, recurrent sprains of the right ankle, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, status post left foot tendon release with benign tumor of the plantar surface with plantar fasciitis, and status post right foot tendon release with benign tumor of the plantar surface with plantar fasciitis are all denied. The Veteran is granted a 50 percent rating for tension-migraine headaches.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals on all issues related to service connection, including for degenerative disc and joint disease of the lumbar spine, bilateral pes planus, left knee disability, right knee disability, degenerative arthritis of the left glenohumeral joint, degenerative arthritis of the left acromioclavicular joint, neck disability, and vision disability.

The Veteran withdrew all issues on appeal prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right foot and skin disabilities may be related to service, but requires further examination and opinion from a VA examiner.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spondylosis, lumbar spine levoscoliosis, and bilateral pes planus due to lack of recent VA examinations and incomplete medical records. The Veteran is also being asked to provide information about her employability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his foot and back disabilities, as well as his claim for a TDIU. Additional examinations are needed to assess the current severity of these conditions, and all relevant records must be obtained.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied as the Veteran failed to report for necessary VA examinations, which are required for proper evaluation of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus and bilateral hammer toe conditions are being remanded for additional development due to worsening symptoms.

The Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for right hip trochanteric bursitis and degenerative joint disease (DJD) was denied. The Board found that new and material evidence had not been received, and the case is remanded for further development on issues of secondary service connection for left and right foot disabilities, hepatitis C, increased rating for left knee disability, and TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for a medical opinion regarding whether VA's care was negligent or if the bunionectomy was performed without informed consent. The referred claims of service connection will be held in abeyance until these issues are resolved.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities cause the need for regular aid and attendance of another person, and she is entitled to SMC based on this need. The effective date for her entitlement to housebound status is December 11, 2013.

The Veteran's claims for right foot pes planus, left foot pes planus, and low back disability have been granted. The low back disability is linked to his service-connected left ankle sprain.

The Board has decided to remand the cases due to new evidence and for verification of service dates. The Veteran's claims for service connection will be reconsidered.

The Veteran's claims for left and right foot disorders were denied as final. The Board has not received new and material evidence to reopen these claims. Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted, but the other conditions remain denied.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis and pes planus are currently rated at 10 percent, while his right ankle sprain is also rated at 10 percent. The Board finds that the current ratings adequately reflect the severity of these service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis with heel spurs and callosities was granted a 10 percent rating, effective January 29, 2014. The RO reduced the rating to 0 percent effective January 29, 2014 due to lack of actual improvement in symptoms.,The claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been reopened based on new and material evidence received since the last final denial.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are not supported by the evidence of record and have been denied.

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for bilateral foot disability or duodenal ulcer, and the Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected condition. The claim for SMC based on aid and attendance for the Veteran is also denied.