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

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction and low back disability secondary to service-connected PTSD. The claims of service connection for right heel bone, calcaneus, right foot plantar fasciitis, and trouble walking secondary to right foot plantar fasciitis are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for PTSD was dismissed as the AOJ did not address this issue in any prior decisions.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for right foot pes planus with hallux valgus is denied due to lack of evidence showing severe flatfoot or severe hallux valgus.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeals for service connection of plantar fasciitis and heel spurs in both feet, resulting in the dismissal of all issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error, and now requires an additional VA opinion to determine if the Veteran's right ankle disability is related to her service-connected bilateral foot disability.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for bilateral pes planus due to a lack of consideration of the Veteran's in-service right foot injury and his lay statements regarding pain experienced thereafter. The case is being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is granted as service connection due to reasonable doubt being resolved in his favor.,Right ear hearing loss remains denied, but the issue of entitlement to service connection for right ear hearing loss is remanded for further development.,Entitlement to service connection for a skin condition affecting the left foot is granted. The issue of entitlement to service connection for a skin condition affecting the left foot is remanded for further development.,Bilateral pes planus (flat foot) remains denied, but the issue of entitlement to service connection for bilateral pes planus is remanded for further development.

The Board has dismissed all appeals for initial compensable ratings and service connection due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for essential tremors, left and right hand cubital tunnel syndrome, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and GERD, Barrett's Esophagus with Irritable Bowel Syndrome due to inconsistencies in previous VA examinations and the need for further clarification of his symptoms.

The Board has granted service connection for OSA as secondary to the Veteran's right knee disability with obesity. The left foot pes planus, right foot pes planus, and left knee disability claims are remanded due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's bilateral posterior calcaneus tiny plantar bone spurs have been granted a 20 percent disability rating effective December 21, 2020.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of bilateral pes planus to include plantar fasciitis was denied, and the effective date is set at December 31, 2021.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right foot disabilities due to a duty to assist error. The AOJ must obtain medical opinions regarding the current status of these conditions, including their relationship to service-connected calluses.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, radiculopathy affecting both lower extremities, bilateral plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, pseudo folliculitis, ankle disorders, shoulder disorder, cervical spine disorder, jock itch, adjustment disorder with anxiety, acid reflux, athlete's foot and toenail fungus, and epiphora. The Board found no current diagnoses for these conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis and bilateral hallux valgus are granted service connection. The Veteran's pes planus claim is remanded due to outstanding medical records.

The Veteran withdrew her appeals for service connection of anxiety, tinnitus, and a bilateral foot disability.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected, with the Board finding that it was incurred in active duty.,For her bilateral pes planus, with left foot hallux valgus and bilateral plantar fasciitis, a rating of 40 percent is granted. The maximum schedular evaluation available under DC 5276 is assigned.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to errors in calculating overpayment of attorney fees and issues related to service connection. The Veteran's representative requested a hearing, but no action will be taken until after this request is completed.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus, to include bilateral plantar fasciitis and bilateral metatarsalgia, is currently rated as 30 percent disabling. The Board finds that the criteria for a higher evaluation are not met during the period on appeal. The claim of entitlement to TDIU has been raised by the record but requires referral to VA's Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's appeal is dismissed as she withdrew her appeals for the issues of separate ratings and increased ratings. The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is granted an initial rating of 30 percent, effective October 22, 2021.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of June 1, 2010 for the Veteran's entitlement to TDIU on an extra-schedular basis based on the evidence showing that his service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment as of that date.