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

The Board has determined that there was a duty to assist error regarding the Veteran's preexisting pes planus and its aggravation by active duty service. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus and bilateral plantar fasciitis, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing conditions were aggravated by active service.

The Board has denied service connection for various hand and knee disabilities, as well as a cervical spine disability. The evidence does not support the Veteran's claims of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed as their VA Form 10182s were not timely filed, and good cause for extension of the filing period was not shown.

The Board has granted effective dates of January 1, 2020, for the awards of service connection for left plantar fasciitis and ethmoid sinusitis. The Veteran's claims were filed within one year of his discharge from active duty.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings and service connection were denied. The initial evaluation for bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis was denied, as the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 30 percent. Service connection for dental problems was also denied due to lack of qualifying conditions. Appeals for PTSD and back disability were dismissed because they were pending in the Legacy system at the time of the July 2021 VA Form 10182.

The Veteran's headaches are rated at 50 percent, effective from the date of this decision. The left shoulder and right shoulder disabilities remain at 20 percent each. Other conditions have been addressed or denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus, finding that his pre-existing condition worsened during military service and resolving all doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection, but his claims for bilateral plantar fasciitis, psychiatric disability, lumbago, erectile dysfunction, URI, and headaches are denied.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date and a higher rating for bilateral pes planus was denied. The Board found that the earliest possible effective date for service connection is March 21, 2013, when VA received the Veteran's VA Form 21-526EZ. For the increased rating claim, the Board determined that the Veteran's symptoms did not warrant a higher rating as they were consistent with the criteria for a 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings in multiple lower extremity disabilities have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of his appeal by his representative.

The reduction of the Veteran's disability rating for his service-connected right foot disability from 20 to 10 percent was improper, and a 20 percent rating is restored as of September 28, 2021.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected right foot disability remains pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to the VA examiner's incorrect attribution of his disabilities to post-service employment, rather than service. New examinations are required to determine if his disabilities are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral foot disability, bilateral ankle disability, headaches, and sinusitis due to inadequate medical opinions in the initial decision.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of January 11, 2021 for the grant of service connection for various disabilities including an acquired psychiatric disorder and multiple musculoskeletal and neurological conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is asymptomatic and rated as noncompensable. His right foot plantar fasciitis has resolved, so he does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under DC 5269. The Board finds no other basis to grant a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for sleep apnea and plantar fasciitis with collapsed arches were dismissed because the Veteran did not timely file a Notice of Disagreement (NOD) or new and material evidence within one year after notification of the October 2016 rating decision. The appeal for radiculopathy of the left extremity was remanded.

The Board has found that service connection is not established for the Veteran's claimed bilateral flatfeet and plantar fasciitis, but has remanded the claim for a low back disability due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral foot disability and an earlier effective date for TDIU prior to November 9, 2018. The Board found no evidence of chronic foot problems during or within one year after service, and there was insufficient medical nexus to establish service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, traumatic brain injury, cervical spine disorder, headaches, and multiple musculoskeletal disorders have been denied. The Board found no evidence of current disabilities or a nexus to service.