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

The Board has granted service connection for left and right ankle conditions, but denied service connection for bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's service connection claims for erectile dysfunction and voiding dysfunction have been denied due to the lack of evidence linking these conditions to his in-service exposure.,The remaining service connection claims (for bilateral feet, ankles, hip, wrist, cervical spine, upper extremity radiculopathy, psychiatric disorder, GERD, sleep apnea, and hypertension) are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's conditions do not meet the criteria for SMC based on need for special aid and attendance, as he does not have anatomical loss or use of both hands, legs above knee, or one leg and one arm at levels preventing natural action with prosthetic devices. His blindness is also not severe enough to qualify.

The Veteran's left foot metatarsalgia is granted as secondary to his service-connected left foot Lisfranc fracture and other disabilities. The Veteran's TDIU benefits from December 1, 2023 are denied due to his employment as a government tax collector.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as he failed to report for scheduled VA examinations. The TDIU claim was granted due to the combined effects of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral flatfoot (pes planus), left knee disability, right knee disability, psychiatric disability, and erectile dysfunction. The claims are based on direct evidence of a nexus to service.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for service connection for various conditions, including chronic sinusitis, cervical spine disorder, left hip disorder, foot disorders, and respiratory disorders. The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly adjudicate these claims due to the lack of a VA examination in some cases.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for low back disability, neck disability, bilateral knee disability, right foot disability, left foot disability, headaches, sinus disability, respiratory disability, balance disability, acquired psychiatric disorder, and bilateral hearing loss due to a duty to assist error in obtaining service records.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, finding that the current condition is etiologically related to active service and resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's DJD, left foot and right foot are granted service connection. The Veteran's pes planus, left foot and right foot, as well as his plantar fasciitis in both feet, are also granted service connection. However, the issue of entitlement to service connection for a right knee strain is remanded due to its potential secondary nature to multiple service-connected foot disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding four different conditions, and the Board has dismissed the appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current disabilities for shortness of breath, obstructive sleep apnea, right elbow disability, or any related foot and knee disabilities. The claims are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding these issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's initial claims for service connection were not properly considered and remanded to obtain a full copy of her service treatment records. The Veteran was also scheduled for an examination to determine if she had any current bilateral foot disorders, including pes planus, pes cavus, plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, or pain.

The Veteran's TDIU and DEA were granted effective July 18, 2020. The case involves the Veteran's service-connected disabilities including PTSD, OSA, diabetes, cataracts, neuropathy, and other conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings have been dismissed as the appeals were not properly initiated.,Claims related to service connection and effective dates have also been dismissed.

The Board has found that the Veteran does not have a current right ear hearing loss disability for VA purposes and has not had one at any time during the pendency of the claim or recent to the filing of the claim.,The Board has also found that there is no diagnosis of a current left shoulder disability. The Veteran's left shoulder pain is due to the weight of wearing additional gears in a deployment environment resulting in loss of strength and increase fatigue in his left shoulder and/or arm.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal concerning the issue of service connection for right foot plantar fasciitis.

The Board dismissed the appeal regarding service connection for bilateral pes planus as the appellant requested withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected disabilities, with obesity serving as an intermediary step.

The Veteran's tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and sinusitis are not service connected.,The Veteran is seeking a compensable rating for GERD and allergic rhinitis. The Board has remanded these issues.