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

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral foot disorder other than bilateral metatarsalgia, to include bilateral plantar fasciitis due to the lack of current diagnosis and insufficient evidence linking any diagnosed condition to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left and right knee disabilities, neck disability, and back disability due to inadequate medical opinions based on the absence of medical evidence. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding whether a preexisting right foot disability was aggravated during service. The Veteran's lay statements and service records will be considered in determining the nature of any current right foot disability.

The Board has already decided the claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for bilateral plantar fasciitis with degenerative arthritis prior to October 26, 2021. The case is dismissed as there is no longer a justiciable issue before the Board.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of his right foot disability, low back disability, and right knee disability. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a nexus between these disabilities and service.

The Veteran's hypertension is denied as there is no confirmed diagnosis of the condition and no evidence linking it to service or a service-connected disability.,The Veteran's left foot disability is denied due to lack of in-service incurrence or aggravation, and no current medical evidence supporting its etiology.,The Veteran's right foot disability is denied for similar reasons as his left foot disability.,The Veteran's liver disability (transaminitis) is denied as there is no confirmed diagnosis and no evidence linking it to service or a service-connected condition.,The Veteran's right knee strain is denied as the current medical evidence does not support an initial compensable rating, and the issue was remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error, specifically regarding the adequacy of the VA examiner's opinion. The Veteran is required to undergo an examination to determine if her bilateral foot conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations to address the severity of his lumbar spine and right hip disabilities, as well as for clarification on conflicting findings regarding ankylosis. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective June 6, 2018. The TDIU was determined due to the service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy, right CTS, and left CTS. Service connection was granted for a left foot disability.

The reduction from a 50 to 30 percent rating for bilateral foot disability was not proper, and the 50 percent rating is restored. The Veteran's appeal regarding lumbosacral strain remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, qualifying for TDIU. His obstructive sleep apnea requires the use of a CPAP machine but does not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus and intervertebral disc syndrome with spinal stenosis and spondylolisthesis are granted as directly related to service. The right shoulder condition is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's preexisting bilateral pes planus, finding that it was aggravated by military service and resolving doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's total combined rating reached 100 percent on September 21, 2020, which is the effective date for his basic eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA). The appeal is denied as the criteria for an earlier effective date are not met.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for increased ratings and TDIU related to bilateral pes planus with degenerative arthritis and plantar fasciitis, right knee degenerative arthritis, and a scar from right knee arthroscopy. The appeals are dismissed.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, bilateral plantar fasciitis, cervical spine disability, and lumbosacral spine disability, all of which are deemed to have begun during active duty.

The Board has granted service connection for left foot plantar fascial fibromatosis and bilateral heel spurs, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to active service.

The Board dismissed the appeals regarding the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral pes planus, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and tinnitus as well as the appeal for an increased rating for tinea pedis due to untimely filings.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae, plantar fasciitis, and sleep apnea due to outstanding VA treatment records needing to be obtained.