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

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral foot disabilities, including pes planus and plantar fasciitis, is remanded due to inadequate VA examinations. The Board finds the previous VA examiners' opinions insufficient and requires additional development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a bilateral foot disability (claimed as pes planus) are remanded due to inadequate medical examinations. The AOJ must obtain additional development by scheduling VA examinations and providing adequate rationale in their opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus did not increase in severity during his service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection based on aggravation of a pre-existing condition.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for initial compensable ratings and service connection for IBS, back disability, bilateral foot disability, fibromyalgia, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The Veteran's son is not eligible for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits because he was already 26 years old at the time his father received a disability rating of 100 percent, which established basic eligibility to Chapter 35 DEA benefits. The appellant's 26th birthday occurred before the effective date of the Veteran's permanent and total service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examinations and failure to consider all relevant evidence. The Veteran's PTSD, back disability, bilateral foot disability, cervical strain, left knee condition, right parapatella tendonitis and patellar tendonosis (claimed as knee condition), left shoulder tenosynovitis, and sleep apnea are being reviewed.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for right foot disability and service connection for left foot disability has been dismissed due to the Board lacking jurisdiction over these issues.,The Veteran's appeal regarding a higher rating for PTSD and TBI, as well as migraine headaches and right ankle disability, is also dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for bilateral pes planus has been dismissed as he withdrew the appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's multiple service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and bilateral pes planus, contributed to her obesity and subsequent development of obstructive sleep apnea. The appeal is thus granted.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral pes planus, finding that the preexisting condition did not worsen during service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral flat feet and foot pain, finding that the Veteran's current condition did not originate in or was not aggravated by his active military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for left foot plantar fasciitis, finding that it is secondary to her service-connected left knee patellofemoral syndrome. The decision resolves all doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date prior to April 26, 2023 for a 50 percent evaluation for service-connected bilateral pes planus with calcaneal spurs. The evidence showed that symptoms were pronounced but not severe enough to warrant a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the AOJ decision on appeal is not complete and requires additional evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection. The Veteran's bilateral pes planus, right knee condition, left knee condition, lumbar spine condition, and left hip condition are all being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. The Board also grants service connection for a bilateral foot disability other than the service-connected residuals of cold injury, but remands to obtain an addendum VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the foot disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis had its onset during active service and granted his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's herpes simplex type 2 and allergic rhinitis are granted service connection. The bilateral flat feet and left toe disability issues are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's right foot plantar fasciitis is granted service connection, while the claim for a higher rating for her left great toe osteochondroma residuals remains denied.

The appeal has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal for higher ratings and service connection claims.

The Veteran's effective date for adding her child, M.J., to her VA disability compensation award is granted as April [REDACTED], 2020. This decision is based on the birth of her daughter within one year and the continuation of her existing disability ratings.