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

The Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD and bilateral plantar fasciitis have been granted. The claim for left ankle condition is remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for right foot plantar fasciitis, finding that it is caused by his service-connected right foot disability, status-post bunionectomy.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus, lumbar strain, bilateral lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy, and bilateral hip disability on the basis that these conditions are related to active duty service due to aggravation of preexisting disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right foot disorders, which were diagnosed during service. The current rating and effective date are not applicable as this is a remand decision.

The Veteran's PTSD, with generalized anxiety disorder and other specified trauma and related disorder are found to be related to his in-service stressors. The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis is currently rated at a 10 percent disability rating.

Service connection for tinnitus and bilateral pes planus has been granted.,The issue of service connection for plantar fasciitis is being remanded due to the need for a medical opinion.

The Board has determined that there are errors in the decision-making process regarding service connection for various conditions, and thus remands the cases to allow for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral pes planus with right foot tendinopathy and osteoarthritis, right ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain status post ankle reconstruction surgery to include gastroc muscle, Achilles tear, and posterior calcaneal exostosis, intervertebral disc syndrome with spinal stenosis, and right foot hallux valgus, have resulted in a combined rating of 70 percent or more for the period before October 16, 2020. Therefore, an effective date of January 8, 2019, is granted for the grant of TDIU.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied because his service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder, do not meet the criteria for a single total disability rating.,The effective date for DEA eligibility is set at December 13, 2013, which coincides with the award of service connection for major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral foot, hip, knee, and back disabilities, as well as a skin disorder, lung disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder, have been denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of these conditions during his period of active service or recent to the filing of the claim.

The Veteran's right knee instability and left knee instability have been granted a disability rating of 20 percent each, effective March 8, 2012.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal before the Board could make a decision on any of the issues raised.

The Veteran's application for higher ratings for adjustment disorder with anxiety and bilateral pes planus with metatarsalgia was denied. The Board found that the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of a VA examination addressing the nature and etiology of the Veteran's pes planus. The Veteran contends that his current diagnosis is related to service, but there are no medical records available from service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus, finding that the Veteran's current condition is etiologically related to his military service.

The Board has denied service connection for left foot disability, right foot disability, fibromyalgia, and sleep apnea. The claim for an initial compensable evaluation for HPV was also denied.

The Veteran's bilateral foot conditions are currently rated at 10 percent each, and the Board finds no basis to grant higher ratings.,PTSD was increased to a 50 percent rating effective May 8, 2024, but the Veteran seeks an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's service connection claims for right foot, left foot, right knee, left knee, and back disabilities are granted. The initial rating for PTSD is also granted.

The Board has granted service connection for neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, but has remanded the issues regarding a right foot disability (other than neuropathy) and a left foot disability (other than neuropathy).

The Board has granted service connection for left knee pain, diagnosed as osteoarthritis, but has remanded the issue of service connection for a left foot disability due to inadequate VA opinions.