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

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection claims and a rating for shin splints. The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis and lumbosacral strain are not rated higher than the current levels due to lack of evidence supporting more severe disability. Service connection for cervical spine and left wrist disabilities is denied as they are not attributable to active military service or arthritis manifest within one year post-service. The claim for a headache was previously denied, but new evidence did not meet the criteria for reopening.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral pes planus. The examiner is asked to provide an opinion on whether the condition had its onset in service, is caused by any service-connected disabilities, or if it has been aggravated by them.

The Board denied service connection for pes planus and hepatitis A, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing conditions did not worsen during service.,There is no current diagnosis of hepatitis A in the record. The Veteran was diagnosed with hepatitis A while in service but it resolved.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment beginning November 16, 2013. A TDIU on extraschedular basis was granted for the period from November 16, 2013, to March 4, 2014.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for colon cancer, increased ratings for left and right ankle disabilities, an earlier effective date for bilateral plantar fasciitis, and a TDIU after March 29, 2016 have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his open appeals.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for plantar fasciitis and secondary service connection for a right knee disability, finding that these conditions are related to his active service.

The Veteran's service connection for hemorrhoids, mild TMJ disorder with bruxism, left carpal tunnel syndrome with cubital tunnel syndrome, bilateral plantar fasciitis, persistent depressive disorder, GERD with IBS, shin splint, right lower extremity, and shin splint, left lower extremity have been granted. The Veteran's service connection for left carpal tunnel syndrome with cubital tunnel syndrome has been granted at a 30 percent rating effective from November 21, 2019.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle, right foot, left foot, and sleep apnea disabilities due to incomplete examination reports and outstanding medical records.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for pes planus, due to aggravation of a pre-existing disability. The evidence shows an increase in severity during service and no clear and unmistakable evidence that there was no increase or that it was due to natural progression.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a bilateral foot disorder and lower back disorder due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The case is now before the Board again.

The Veteran's bilateral knee and plantar fasciitis conditions are granted service connection, while the ratings for shin splints remain at 10 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right foot disabilities, as well as bilateral metatarsalgia and ankle disabilities. The Veteran's current hip and thigh disabilities are also found to be secondary to his service-connected foot disabilities.

The appeal for service connection of a bilateral foot disability is dismissed. The Veteran's tension headaches are granted an initial rating of 50%. The issue of entitlement to service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate development of evidence, particularly regarding the Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendonitis. The issues are now pending for further development.

The Board has found that further development is needed, including consideration of new evidence and issuance of a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC). The claims for service connection for various disabilities are being remanded to allow for this additional review.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities have been granted increased disability ratings, but the effective dates are set to August 12, 2015.,The Veteran's right foot disability (hammer toes of the right foot with bilateral pes planus) has been dismissed as a claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right foot disability, left foot disability, and skin disability due to inadequate VA examination opinions. Further development is needed to address the nature and etiology of these disabilities, including consideration of toxic exposure risk activities.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining a VA examiner's curriculum vitae and private medical records. The RO will also schedule the Veteran for additional examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his hip, shoulder, knee, and foot disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities result in the loss of use of both lower extremities, necessitating the use of a cane or wheelchair as a normal mode of locomotion. The Board has granted eligibility for specially adapted housing based on this finding.

The Veteran withdrew her appeals for multiple conditions, including bilateral plantar fasciitis, bipolar disorder, and others. The Board dismissed the appeal as a result of the withdrawal.