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

The Board denied service connection for a left foot disability due to the lack of current diagnosis and because there is no evidence linking any diagnosed condition to service.,Service connection was also denied for a right foot disability as the Veteran's hallux valgus and degenerative joint disease are not considered related to her military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral foot condition and lumbar spine disease, make it impossible for him to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted TDIU benefits since February 25, 2013.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate evaluations by VRCs, and a new evaluation is needed to determine if the Veteran has an employment handicap or serious employment handicap.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of increased evaluations for his service-connected bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis, calcaneal spurs, and first metatarsophalangeal joint arthritis; pseudofolliculitis barbae; and right knee disabilities. The case will be remanded to obtain additional VA examinations.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including low back disability, right and left knee disabilities, left foot disability, headaches secondary to PTSD, peripheral neuropathy of upper extremities, herpes, cervical spine disability (secondary to PTSD), right and left hip pain, and hypertension. The only condition granted was an acquired psychiatric condition (PTSD, depression, anxiety and other stressor related disorder).

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives. The Veteran's claims are not granted as service connection is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's assertion of a left foot disability, but the current evidence does not support service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus disability is at least as likely as not related to his in-service duties, and therefore service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left and right ankle degenerative joint diseases, as well as his bilateral pes planus with history of right ankle sprain and posterior tibial tendonitis. The VA is required to obtain any outstanding medical records from VA facilities in Durham and Clayton, North Carolina, and from private providers identified by the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left ankle, right ankle, left foot, and right foot disabilities due to incomplete records. The thoracolumbar disability claim is denied as there is no clear and unmistakable evidence that it was aggravated during service.

The Board has granted effective dates of June 22, 2015 for a 30% rating for pes planus and a 20% rating for peripheral neuropathy (common peroneal) of the right first and second toes. The earliest possible effective date is June 22, 2015.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right foot, left foot, right hip, and left hip disabilities due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his active duty or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service connection claims for pes planus (flat feet), ovarian cysts, and menorrhagia are granted. The Board also remanded the cases for further examination due to potential toxic exposure.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for cervical strain and bilateral pes planus were denied as the evidence did not support a rating in excess of the current 20 percent and 30 percent evaluations, respectively.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates and increased ratings have been dismissed due to untimely filing of the VA Form 10182.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error regarding injuries sustained during Active Duty for Training (ADT) and Inactive Duty for Training (IDT). The Veteran's bilateral foot disabilities are being reviewed again with a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional development, specifically regarding functional loss and flare-ups of his right knee condition.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his right and left foot disabilities have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death during the appeal process.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, bilateral foot arthritis, and bilateral pes planus due to missing medical records and inadequate opinions. The Veteran's current foot disorders are being examined by VA to determine their etiology and whether they are related to his service or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of his foot and ankle disabilities. The claims will be reviewed again with additional examination and opinion.