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

The Veteran's claims for effective dates of August 6, 2021 have been granted for the service-connected right foot pes planus, plantar fasciitis, and right great toe residuals.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of plantar fasciitis was dismissed because the surviving spouse did not file a timely request to substitute as claimant within one year after the Veteran's death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus, plantar fasciitis, and hallux valgus due to a lack of evidence showing that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has decided to remand all issues on appeal due to the need for additional VA treatment records. The Veteran's claims for service connection are being returned for further review.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claim because there was no October 2020 rating decision regarding his right foot disability, and thus the issue cannot be adjudicated.

The Veteran's left foot disability is granted, and the issue of a higher rating for right foot strain is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to November 28, 2011 for a 50 percent rating for bilateral pes planus is denied as there was no increase in disability within one year prior to the claim.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, bilateral knee strain, and back strain. Service connection was denied for left bicep disorder due to lack of a current diagnosis or evidence linking the condition to an in-service injury.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's periodontal disease is not related to service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.,The VA must provide a VA examination for foot disorders due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist error. The examiner will determine if the current foot disorder is at least as likely as not related to service.,The VA must provide a VA examination for knee disorders due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist error. The examiner will determine if the current knee disorder is at least as likely as not related to service.,The VA must provide a VA examination for back disorders due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist error. The examiner will determine if the current back disorder is at least as likely as not related to service.,The VA must provide a VA examination for elbow disorders due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist error. The examiner will determine if the current elbow disorder is at least as likely as not related to service.

The Veteran's headaches are rated at a maximum of 50 percent, effective August 12, 2019. The Veteran also has other service-connected conditions that have led to a combined schedular rating of 100%.

The Veteran's claims for accrued benefits based on service connection for PTSD and left ear hearing loss have been granted. The remaining claims are remanded due to incomplete records.

The Veteran's left foot pes planus and plantar fasciitis are granted as service connected. The pes planus is considered to have been aggravated by service, while the plantar fasciitis is found to be directly incurred in service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral pes planus, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing condition did not worsen during service and that there was no evidence of aggravation.

The Veteran's appeal regarding the timeliness of a VA Form 10182 is dismissed because her Motion for Extension of Time was granted, and she submitted a timely Notice of Disagreement.

The Board has remanded the claim for a VA opinion to determine if the Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone render him in need of regular aid and attendance. The current rating decision does not address this issue directly.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral pes planus and obstructive sleep apnea due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for pes planus, plantar fasciitis, and fibromyalgia due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their relationship to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for flat feet foot pain (pes planus) has been denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is being remanded for further review.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for the grant of a Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) and Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate was denied. The TDIU claim is based on service-connected bilateral pes planus, but no increase in severity during the year prior to January 7, 2011, is discernable.,The Veteran's SMC at the housebound rate from January 7, 2011, was also denied. The criteria for this benefit were not met as of that date.

The Board has remanded the claim for bilateral foot disability (claimed as plantar fasciitis) due to duty-to-assist errors, including obtaining Reserve service records and non-VA treatment records.