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

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial evaluation of 50 percent for bilateral pes planus is granted, effective November 20, 2015. The Board found that the Veteran has continuously pursued his claim and that the April 18, 2019 and August 20, 2019 VA foot examinations supported a 50 percent rating for bilateral pes planus.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including dyslipidemia, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, erectile dysfunction (ED), chronic sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, right shoulder and left shoulder disabilities, right hip and left hip disabilities, bilateral foot disabilities, right ankle and left ankle disabilities, right knee and left knee disabilities, and bilateral plantar fasciitis. The decision is based on the absence of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's hypertension, allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, upper extremity disability (chronic joint pain, DDD, DJD), lumbar spine disability (lumbosacral strain), plantar fasciitis, sciatica, and insomnia have not been found to be service-connected.,There is no evidence of current disabilities related to the Veteran's claimed conditions during or recent to the pendency of his claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including alopecia, bilateral epiphora (watery eyes), athlete's feet and toenail fungus, foot bunions, pes planus, left ankle condition, right great toe disability, and loss of balance have all been denied. The Board found that there is no current evidence of these conditions at the time of the claims or proximate to their filing.,The Veteran also attempted to establish service connection for his bilateral lower extremity disabilities as secondary to a back disability, but this claim was not addressed in detail and remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, qualifying for TDIU. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for SMC at the housebound rate.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a sleep disorder, lung disability (including pneumonia, bronchitis, and COPD), neck disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, and bilateral foot disability are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Board has remanded the claims for pes planus, cervical spine condition, low back condition, and sinus disability due to duty-to-assist errors that occurred prior to the March 2021 rating decision on appeal.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral flat foot and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete opinions in previous VA examinations. The Veteran's pes planus may be aggravated by his service-connected hallux valgus, and his major depressive disorder is not caused but may be aggravated by his service-connected tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of an adequate VA examination and development, including obtaining private treatment records.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to warrant readjudication of the previously denied claim for service connection for a disability of the feet. The AOJ is instructed to obtain additional records from community care providers, schedule an examination to address the etiology of pes planus and plantar fasciitis, and provide updated opinions on these issues.

Your appeal has been dismissed because the March 15, 2021 VBA letter rejecting your request for Higher-Level Review is not an appealable decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, rhinitis, bilateral foot disability (plantar fasciitis), and gastrointestinal disorder (IBS) are denied due to lack of evidence supporting a current disability or relationship to service. The claims have been remanded for further development.,The Board has also determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, rhinitis, bilateral foot disability (plantar fasciitis), and gastrointestinal disorder (IBS) are denied due to lack of evidence supporting a current disability or relationship to service. The claims have been remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus, right shoulder strain, and back disability due to unresolved issues.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis is related to his service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board dismissed the appeal for an increased rating in excess of 50 percent for sleep apnea due to untimeliness. The Veteran's appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, asthma, sinusitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), hypertension, headaches, bilateral plantar fasciitis, sciatica, right knee disability, left knee disability, and an acquired psychiatric disability were denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to September 9, 2020 for a 50% increased rating for bilateral pes planus. The evidence did not show increased symptomatology warranting an earlier effective date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral flat foot (pes planus) and plantar fasciitis, as well as a lumbar spine condition. The AOJ will consider new evidence in their adjudication of these claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for reentry into VR&E independent living services due to a lack of evidence showing his disabilities have worsened to the point he has sustained a substantial loss of independence following his previous determination of rehabilitation.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is granted with a rating of 40 percent effective April 26, 2020. The Veteran's left foot disability remains at a 30 percent rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of a right foot disability and an initial rating higher than 10 percent for thoracolumbar strain with scoliosis, finding that there was no current diagnosis of these conditions. The claim for increased rating for thoracolumbar strain with scoliosis was remanded.