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

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him so helpless as to need regular aid and attendance for the period of time on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for left foot degenerative arthritis with plantar calcaneal spur and fragment at the periphery of the first interphalangeal joint, flat foot, hammertoes, and hallux valgus is dismissed as his claim has been fully granted. The appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for left ankle status post scope and talus microfracture is denied.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral plantar fasciitis is denied as the evidence does not show that he has undergone surgical treatment, which is required for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5269. The Board finds his symptoms are already contemplated by the currently assigned 10 percent rating.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, right hip, left knee, and right knee. The Veteran's current disabilities are related to his military service.

The Veteran withdrew their appeals for the claimed conditions of bilateral shoulder condition, bilateral flat feet, OSA, neck/cervical spine condition, ED, and GERD before a decision was made by the Board.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease as secondary to bilateral pes planus with arthritis, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise and granting the benefit of doubt to the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but the claims for lumbar spine disability, right ankle disability, left ankle disability, right foot disability, and left foot disability are remanded due to a duty to assist error. The claim for OSA is also remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right foot disability manifested by pain, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy. The decision is based on the Veteran's competent and credible lay reports of continuous symptoms since separation from active duty.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including ED, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and hearing loss. The cases are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's pre-existing pes planus was aggravated by service. The case will be reviewed with a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a right shoulder disability, a bilateral knee disability, and a right foot disability due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis is rated at 50 percent effective March 14, 2021.

The Board has determined that there was a pre-decisional duty to assist error in the original decision and has remanded the cases for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right foot plantar fasciitis with pes planus was received by VA on December 15, 2018. The effective date of the award is set at this receipt date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral foot disabilities due to insufficient information in the VA opinions provided. The AOJ will consider all relevant evidence of record, including subsequent VA treatment records and the Veteran's September 2022 argument on the VA Form 20-0995.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus is denied because the condition was not aggravated by or during active duty. The claim for residuals from chronic upper respiratory infections and/or pneumonia is also denied as there is no current diagnosis of such a condition.

The Veteran's petition to reconsider the claim of entitlement to service connection for hearing loss has been denied as new and relevant evidence was not received.,The Veteran's petition to reconsider the claim of entitlement to service connection for left hip condition has been denied as new and relevant evidence was not received.,The Veteran's petition to reconsider the claim of entitlement to service connection for difficulty breathing, shortness of breath has been denied as new and relevant evidence was not received.,The Veteran's petition to reconsider the claim of entitlement to service connection for left leg peripheral neuropathy (also claimed as bilateral leg cramps) has been denied as new and relevant evidence was not received.,The Veteran's petition to reconsider the claim of entitlement to service connection for right leg peripheral neuropathy (also claimed as bilateral leg cramps) has been denied as new and relevant evidence was not received.,The Veteran's petition to reconsider the claim of entitlement to service connection for plantar fasciitis (also claimed as bilateral foot pain) has been denied as new and relevant evidence was not received.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, cervicalgia, left hand condition, right hand condition, hearing loss, and tinnitus as there is no evidence of these conditions during or after service.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for a bilateral foot disability due to insufficient medical evidence and an inadequate examination report. The Veteran contends that his bilateral foot disabilities are related to overcompensating from his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss is denied.,The appeal of entitlement to service connection for cervical condition is dismissed.,The appeal of entitlement to service connection for major depressive disorder with anxiety is dismissed.,The appeal of entitlement to service connection for PTSD under the modernized review system is dismissed.,The appeal of entitlement to service connection for bilateral pes planus and hallux valgus is dismissed.