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

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection for migraine headaches due to a finding of service connection in September 2023. The issues of new and material evidence for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, PTSD with persistent depressive disorder and TBI residuals, cervical spine disability, right hand disability, left hand disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, bilateral foot disability, recurrent sleep disability, heart disability, hypertension, and thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis are remanded.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for left and right foot disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions in the previous remand. The case is being returned to the RO for further action.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of a left foot disability, right foot disability, and sleep apnea are remanded due to the need for additional development including medical opinions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral foot disability, finding that his current diagnosis is related to injuries sustained during service and resolving reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, when taken together, prevent him from securing or following a 'substantially gainful' occupation given his prior vocational history and the impact of his service-connected right foot disabilities (i.e., pes planus, hallux valgus, and hallux rigidus), left foot disability(status post fracture with hallux valgus), back disability, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, right foot and back scars, and GERD, when taken together, have on obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful non-sedentary employment and sedentary employment, including in his past employment as a police officer.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating increase in his service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis was denied. The Board also remanded the claims for service connection of right knee and left ankle conditions, as well as their relationship to his service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis.

The Board has determined that the most recent VA examinations are inadequate and remands for further examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities. The claims will be readjudicated after obtaining any outstanding relevant records.

The Veteran's right knee disability, GERD, acquired mental health condition (excluding PTSD), and bilateral pes planus with bilateral plantar fasciitis, achilles tendonitis have been granted service connection. The Veteran's hernia, left side, groin muscle disability, right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, left ear injury, throat gland disability, and ear wart disability have not been established as service-connected.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been denied. Effective dates earlier than June 30, 2017, are not warranted.,Service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus is granted with effective date of June 30, 2017.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions provided are inadequate to resolve the Veteran's claims for service connection. The claims are being remanded for further development, including obtaining an adequate opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's cervical spine disability and right and left foot disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for a bilateral foot disorder. The case will be reviewed with an appropriate VA medical opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral foot disorder, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,New evidence has been submitted that may support reopening of these previously denied claims.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was denied as he did not meet the schedular percentage criteria for assignment of a TDIU prior to May 28, 2010. The effective date for DEA benefits is also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral flat feet, left foot pain and discomfort, and congenital deformity of the right 4th metatarsal by way of aggravation. The criteria for these conditions have been met as they are directly related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral pes planus from October 7, 2014, to January 10, 2020 is being remanded due to a lack of an opinion addressing the etiology and severity of his hallux valgus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities, finding that there was no persuasive evidence showing he needed regular aid and assistance from another person or was housebound as a result of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to incomplete STRs and the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence showing that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly assess the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and their impact on his daily life. The Veteran will be provided with new VA examinations for his cervical spine, lumbar spine, PTSD, migraine headaches, bilateral foot disability, scar of the right hand long finger, penile disorder, and sleep apnea.