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

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 40 percent effective August 17, 2018. Service connection for hypertension, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, right foot disability, left foot disability, and right shoulder disability are denied. TDIU is granted effective July 30, 2018.

The Board has denied service connection for a left hip disability claimed as secondary to bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis and calluses of the feet, finding that there is no evidence showing the Veteran's current left hip disability is proximately due to or aggravated by her service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right ankle, left foot, and right foot disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran's current disabilities are being evaluated based on their onset during his honorable service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased initial disability rating for CAD status post stents is denied. The effective date of service connection for prostate cancer and left foot pes planus, hallux valgus and degenerative joint disease first metatarsal phalangeal joint has been granted as April 8, 2010. The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied, with the exception of a grant of TDIU.,No effective dates earlier than specified in the decision are granted.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to provide a toxic exposure risk activity (TERA) addendum medical opinion for the Veteran's multiple plantar warts on the left foot due to participation in a TERA during service.

The Board has denied service connection for a right foot disorder, specifically right lower extremity radiculopathy. The left foot disorder issue is remanded and requires further examination to determine the etiology of any current left foot conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to readjudicate his claims for service connection for various conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disability and bilateral hearing loss. The remaining issues are remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for sinusitis and bilateral pes planus were dismissed due to the implementation of a prior Board decision. The appeal regarding SMC at the housebound rate was also dismissed as there is no evidence of substantial confinement or institutionalization.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for flat feet and lower back conditions due to potential errors in the initial processing of his claim documents, including a possible loss or destruction of his service treatment records. The case is being returned for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to service connection for a right foot disability, as it is unclear whether the Veteran's current conditions are related to his service or if they were caused by his service-connected low back disability. The VA will need to obtain verification of the nature and dates of the Veteran's active duty and provide an addendum medical opinion considering obesity as an intermediate step.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his bilateral foot disorder and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for a VA examination of his feet.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left foot plantar fasciitis, right foot plantar fasciitis, and allergic rhinitis due to duty to assist errors.

The Board is remanding the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete verification of his National Guard service and insufficient medical opinions. The AOJ will obtain additional evidence and conduct further examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of her right and left knee disabilities, back disability, and feet disability are being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors. The VA is instructed to obtain relevant treatment records from private providers and provide the Veteran with a retrospective medical examination.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the aforementioned issues, leading to their dismissal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pes planus (flatfoot) may be related to his service as a paratrooper, but further evidence is needed to clarify whether it was aggravated by service or preexisted. The case is being remanded for a VA medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression, anxiety, and PTSD), plantar fasciitis left lower extremity, plantar fasciitis right lower extremity, and left shoulder disability due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Board has withdrawn the appeals for left and right foot disabilities, urinary incontinence as secondary to service-connected disease or injury, and both hand disabilities. The issues of left and right hand disabilities are remanded due to lack of proper medical opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis and right foot capsulitis tendonitis due to a duty-to-assist error. The Veteran's in-service complaints of bilateral foot pain are related to her current conditions, but further examination is needed to determine if these conditions were incurred during service.