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

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection claims related to migraines, right knee disability, left foot disability, and right foot disability as secondary to other conditions. The issues were withdrawn by the Veteran prior to a decision being made.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected disabilities, with obesity serving as an intermediary step.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate opinions regarding her service connection claims.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, including arthritis, is granted as service-connected. The Board also found that the Veteran's right carpal tunnel syndrome and bilateral shoulder disabilities are related to his in-service symptoms but not directly connected to service due to aggravation of pre-existing conditions. Service connection for pes planus was granted, while service connection for plantar fasciitis and athlete's foot is denied.

The appeal for service connection of a sleep disability is dismissed. The Board has remanded several other claims, including those for psychiatric disabilities, thyroid conditions, hair loss, and nerve disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on multiple issues has been dismissed due to the withdrawal of his infertility claim. The remaining claims have been remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy is dismissed. A TDIU is granted, effective September 19, 2016.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his service-connected psychiatric disability and its impact on the claimed ankle, carpal tunnel syndrome, foot, cervical spine, lumbosacral spine, and right knee disabilities.,Specifically, a VA examination will be conducted to determine if any of these disabilities are related to or aggravated by his service-connected psychiatric disability.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to decide the claims for service connection and rating increases. The Veteran's VA treatment records, CAPRI records, and examinations are being requested.

The Veteran's appeals for various disabilities have been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for vertigo, fibromyalgia, and headaches migraines have been dismissed as the conditions were granted in a March 2024 rating decision.,Service connection has been established for bilateral flatfoot, degenerative arthritis of the right foot, left hallux valgus, right hallux valgus, left plantar fasciitis, right plantar fasciitis, and degenerative arthritis of the left hand.

The Veteran's request to reopen the finally disallowed claim of entitlement to service connection for adjustment disorder with anxiety is dismissed. The request to reopen the finally disallowed claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD is granted. The claim for a disability involving the tailbone is denied. The claims for right shoulder, left shoulder, right foot, left foot, right hip, left hip, right knee, and left knee disabilities are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased disability evaluations for intervertebral disc syndrome with spinal stenosis and bilateral pes planus, as well as his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU). The AOJ is instructed to obtain all relevant VA treatment records and provide a medical opinion regarding the Veteran's current severity of service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right foot disabilities due to incomplete records, including missing service personnel records and treatment records. The Veteran is also asked to provide additional etiological opinions regarding his current diagnoses.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, which is the maximum rating available under current criteria.,The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is currently rated at 30 percent. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 30 percent and the Board denied an increased rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right foot disability and for obtaining private medical records from a podiatrist.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's tinnitus claim is granted. The hearing loss and pes planus claims are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for migraines and pes planus with plantar fasciitis due to incomplete service records, pre-decisional duty to assist errors in VA examinations, and insufficient evidence regarding the onset or aggravation of these conditions during active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left foot disabilities due to a lack of sufficient information in medical opinions regarding the onset and progression of her conditions. The AOJ will obtain additional medical opinions to address whether her current diagnoses are related to military service.