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

The Veteran's service connection claims for colon polyps and residuals from sigmoid colon resection, bilateral foot disorders, and a low back disorder are all granted.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis is granted a 30 percent rating from February 1, 2020 to March 30, 2023. Ratings in excess of 10 percent are denied for left and right hammer toes prior to March 30, 2023. The Veteran's LLE and RLE peripheral neuropathy is granted a 50 percent rating from March 30, 2023 onwards.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete service records, specifically regarding the Veteran's active duty with the Air Force Reserve. The claims will be reconsidered after obtaining all relevant medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right shin splints, left and right ankle disabilities characterized by recurrent pain and swelling/edema, and foot disorders (plantar fasciitis) on the basis that these conditions are secondary to obesity. Obesity is a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection on multiple conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of April 30, 2021 for the 50% rating for bilateral pes planus.,The Veteran is granted an effective date of April 30, 2021 for the 30% rating for cervical strain.,The Veteran is granted an effective date of April 30, 2021 for service connection for left upper extremity of the middle radicular group as part of her cervical strain claim.,The Veteran is granted an effective date of April 30, 2021 for service connection for right upper extremity of the middle radicular group as part of her cervical strain claim.,The Veteran is granted an effective date of March 8, 2022 for a 40% rating for lumbosacral strain.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis and sleep apnea are granted service connection.,Service connection for left shoulder disorder and right shoulder disorder is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for pes planus and plantar fasciitis due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The Veteran's claim is remanded as there are no in-service medical records documenting his foot conditions, but he reported symptoms during military service.

The appeal for a disability rating more than 10 percent for left ankle strain has been dismissed. The appeals for service connection of right knee, left knee, lumbar spine, left hip, and bilateral foot disabilities have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and opinion, specifically regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service and his bilateral foot disability. The appeal is now back with the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were dismissed as the issues are moot due to a prior grant of benefits in May 2023, and there was an improper concurrent election of multiple review options.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral foot disability, including plantar fasciitis, is being remanded due to inadequate VA examinations and the need for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment before January 6, 2017.

The Board has remanded the cases for a new VA medical opinion to determine if the Veteran's foot disabilities began during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability and bilateral foot disability due to inadequate VA examination opinions. The Veteran is presumed to have had pre-existing conditions prior to service, but there is conflicting evidence regarding whether his current disabilities are related to service.

The Veteran's depression is granted a 70% evaluation. The right knee and right foot disability issues are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any bilateral pes planus that may be present. The examiner should address whether it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's preexisting pes planus was aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis were evaluated, but the disability was found to not meet criteria for a higher rating as his symptoms did not more nearly approximate severe bilateral disability.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is rated at a 50 percent since November 17, 2020.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for left shin splints, right shin splints, left ankle sprain, right ankle sprain, onychomycosis (right foot), onychomycosis (left foot), and right knee condition.