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

The Veteran's claim for bilateral pes planus was denied as his condition pre-existed service and was not aggravated by it. The effective date remains November 13, 2018.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including tinnitus, depression, anxiety disorder, psychosis, insomnia, PTSD, left shin splints, right shin splints, and sleep apnea are granted. The claims for bilateral pes planus, endocervicitis, gastritis, GERD, irritable bowel syndrome, otitis media, and eye infection remain denied.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's preexisting bilateral pes planus, finding that it increased in severity during his military service and is presumed to have been aggravated by service.

The Board has found new and relevant evidence for both the multiple myeloma claim and the bilateral foot disability claim, warranting readjudication. The claims are now remanded to the AOJ for further review.

The Veteran's right wrist disability is rated at 30 percent, but no higher. The claims for service connection of the respiratory condition, acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral foot disorders are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his reported cellulitis in service, which may have caused or contributed to his current peripheral neuropathy and somatic dysfunction of the thoracic region. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions based on their onset during active duty.

The Veteran's service connection claims for tinnitus, a back disability, and right foot disability have been granted. The increased rating claim for the right foot disability is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for eligibility to specially adapted housing (SAH) or special home adaptation (SHA) benefits due to his combined rating of 80 percent.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus, lumbar strain, migraines, arthritis (bilateral feet, knees, and hands as well as the left elbow), and sleep apnea are preventing him from securing or following any substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the percentage requirements for a schedular TDIU rating. The Board finds there is not sufficient evidence to substantiate a reasonable possibility that the Veteran is unemployable due to service-connected disabilities and that TDIU benefits are not warranted because the Veteran is not unable to obtain and sustain financially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for a left ankle condition and left ear hearing loss, finding no evidence of in-service injury or disease that could be linked to the current conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates for increased ratings on bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis, lumbosacral strain, and tension headaches are dismissed as they were part of pending claims in the VA's legacy appeal system.

The Veteran's NOD was timely filed, and the AOJ should provide him with a Statement of the Case regarding his claims for service connection for lumbar disability, obstructive sleep apnea, earlier effective date for bilateral plantar fasciitis, and increased rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his right shoulder disability is dismissed as the issue was part of an earlier legacy appeal.,The Veteran's appeal for SMC based on aid and attendance or housebound is dismissed because it has already been granted for the current appeal period.,The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his bilateral foot disability is denied as he is already in receipt of the maximum schedular rating.,The Veteran's appeal for an effective date prior to September 7, 2022 for the grant of a 70 percent disability rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied due to lack of evidence showing worsening during the year prior to his claim.,The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no basis for an earlier effective date.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus, finding that the Veteran's condition was aggravated by his military service.

The Board has dismissed all issues of appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to errors in duty to assist, including verification of periods of active duty and reserve service. The Veteran's pre-existing left foot status post fracture is being evaluated for aggravation during service, and his current hallux valgus and hallux rigidus are being evaluated for their etiology.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for right foot pain, including pes planus, plantar fasciitis, Morton's neuroma, degenerative arthritis, and hammer toes. The decision is based on a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, but the issue of whether bilateral pes planus is related to service and if so, whether it was caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability (specifically bilateral plantar fasciitis) remains pending.