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

The Board finds that it is unclear whether the Veteran was exhibited a foot disability other than the service connected right foot injury residuals and, if so, whether he has a recurrent left foot disability. Further VA foot evaluation is needed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his bilateral flat feet, calcaneal spurs, lumbar spondylolysis L5 with spondylolisthesis, rheumatoid arthritis (indicated by radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities), tinnitus, and hiatal hernia, render him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment as of January 11, 2023. The Board has granted a TDIU effective from that date.

The Veteran's right ankle condition is granted as service-connected. The remaining issues of bilateral pes planus, bilateral plantar fasciitis, bilateral knee conditions, obstructive sleep apnea, and bilateral hearing loss are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's right foot, left foot, right ankle, left ankle, and right knee disabilities are all found to be related to service.,Service connection is granted for a major depressive disorder with secondary alcohol abuse.

The appeals for increased ratings for right and left knee conditions, bilateral pes planus, and lumbar spine DJD have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew her appeal of these issues.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including ratings for lumbar spine conditions, radiculopathies, shoulder conditions, and gastroesophageal reflux disease. The appeals are being returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for further action.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability with bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and bilateral foot disability are remanded for further examination to assess their current severity.

The Veteran's initial ratings for bilateral plantar fasciitis and lumbar spine disability have been denied. The issues of entitlement to separate ratings for lower extremity radiculopathy, TDIU, and psychiatric disability secondary to plantar fasciitis are remanded.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including GERD, lumbar spine disability, right hip scar, and foot disabilities. The Veteran will need further examinations to determine the severity of his conditions and their relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to address whether the appellant's obstructive sleep apnea and right foot disability are related to service, including toxic exposures during Gulf War service. The opinions must consider the appellant's lay statements regarding in-service onset of these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that he is not unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral pes planus was permanently worsened by active duty service, and thus granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus and a skin disorder. The AOJ must obtain any outstanding service records, including those from her service in the Texas Air National Guard. They are also required to provide the Veteran with a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any bilateral pes planus and skin disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various foot, hip, and knee conditions due to incomplete records and inadequate examination opinions. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions on the basis that they were aggravated by active duty service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial increase rating for heel spur of the right foot, left foot, and bilateral plantar fasciitis. The TDIU claim is also remanded due to its inextricability with the other issues on appeal.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied because he was not rendered unemployable due to only one service-connected disability, but rather multiple disabilities including his neck and back pain.

The Veteran's appeal of the petition to reopen previously denied claims for service connection and entitlement to an effective date prior to May 21, 2018, for award of increase rating to 70 percent for PTSD is dismissed.,The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to a rating in excess of 70 percent prior to November 1, 2023, for PTSD and entitlement to TDIU prior to November 1, 2023.

Your appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been dismissed due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating, service connection for right foot condition and lung cancer are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and etiology opinions.

The Veteran's residuals of right wrist ganglion cyst were granted service connection as it was caused by an in-service right wrist ganglion cyst.,Service connection for a right ankle disability was denied due to the periodic flare ups not being causally related to active duty service.,Service connection for hemorrhoids was denied as there is no current evidence of a disability or impairment associated with them.,The left elbow condition was denied as it did not onset during his active duty service and there were no symptoms reported after separation.,Bilateral hearing loss was denied due to the absence of a current diagnosis meeting VA criteria for a disability.,Service connection for a scar from left inguinal hernia repair was denied as there is no evidence of such a condition.,Right foot condition, including plantar fasciitis, was remanded as further examination and opinion are needed.,Cervical spine condition and high blood pressure were also remanded due to the need for additional medical evaluation.