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

The Board granted service connection for bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis, finding that the Veteran's foot conditions began during active duty.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for service connection of various conditions, including degenerative arthritis of the spine, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and other disabilities. The earliest effective date assigned was October 28, 2020.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to errors in duty to assist and potential exposure to hazardous materials at Fort McClellan. The Veteran's service records are being verified, and VA examinations will be scheduled for his claimed conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for earlier effective dates for service connection for pes planus and an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss, as there was no evidence of a claim or increase in disability prior to December 2, 2020.

The Veteran's cervical strain with muscle spasm is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher evaluation is not warranted.,The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher evaluation is not warranted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus, left foot hallux valgus, and right foot hallux valgus have been granted. However, the ratings for left foot hallux valgus and right foot hallux valgus remain at 0% (non-compensable). The claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for bilateral pes planus has also been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation throughout the appeal period.

The Board has reopened the previously denied service connection claims for bilateral eye disorder, bilateral foot disorder, and BLE disorder. These issues are now remanded for further development.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals remands the claims for service connection for various disabilities, including a right foot disability, left foot disability, right knee disability, left ankle disability, neck disability, sinusitis, and type II diabetes mellitus, to obtain private treatment records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance of another person, finding that his service-connected disabilities do not render him in need of such assistance.

The Veteran's appeal of his claims for bilateral pes planus and sleep apnea has been dismissed due to the withdrawal of the appeals by his attorney prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral foot disability, including pes planus, degenerative arthritis of the feet, and plantar fasciitis. The Veteran's pre-existing pes planus was aggravated by her military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to obtain an adequate opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right foot conditions, including his diabetic foot ulcer, hammertoes, hallux abducto valgus, and pes planus. The AOJ is instructed to obtain an addendum opinion addressing these issues.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable prior to December 3, 2019. The Board found that the Veteran had a high rating for his Meniere's disease and sleep apnea but was capable of performing employment duties.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection for various conditions, including migraines, urinary dysfunction, and knee and spine issues, due to an impermissible concurrent election under 38 C.F.R. § 3.2500(b).

The Veteran's appeal was withdrawn regarding a higher rating for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis. The claims of service connection for right and left leg nerve conditions were denied due to lack of objective evidence demonstrating the presence of lower extremity nerve disorders resulting from her lumbar spine disability.

The Board has reinstated the prior ratings for radiculopathy of the right upper extremity, left upper extremity, cervical strain with IVDS, and pes planus of the right foot due to a lack of evidence showing improvement in symptoms.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for IBS, erectile dysfunction, bilateral flat feet, plantar fasciitis, and frost bite are dismissed. The claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction is remanded due to the PACT Act requirements.

The Board remands the claims for a lower back condition and bilateral foot conditions, to include plantar fasciitis, as VA examinations are required to obtain a medical opinion addressing the etiology of the Veteran's conditions.

The Board has determined that there was a pre-decisional duty to assist error and the Veteran's bilateral foot disabilities and right ankle disability may be secondary to her service-connected psychiatric disability and left ankle disability, with obesity as an intermediate step. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion.