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

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left foot disabilities due to inadequate etiology opinions in the March 2018 rating decision. The VA must ensure that all relevant treatment records are obtained, including those from the Veteran's Reserve service after he separated from active duty in February 1980.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to insufficient medical evidence regarding her need for aid and attendance or housebound SMC based on her service-connected disabilities. The AOJ must obtain any outstanding treatment records and schedule the Veteran for a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of bilateral plantar fasciitis is remanded due to the lack of a podiatry examination. The case will be returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) so that an examination can be conducted and definitive opinions based on the complete record can be obtained.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of lumbar, right ankle, and right foot disabilities are remanded due to the need for VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left foot disability, heart disabilities including cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure, diabetes mellitus, and sleep apnea (secondary to heart disability) due to inadequate VA examination and incomplete medical records.

The claims for right lower extremity numbness and left lower extremity numbness were denied due to lack of current diagnosed disabilities. The claim for service connection for a left foot disability is denied as the evidence does not show it was caused by a service-connected condition.,The claims for right lower extremity numbness and left lower extremity numbness were denied due to lack of current diagnosed disabilities. The claim for service connection for a left foot disability is denied as the evidence does not show it was caused by a service-connected condition.,The claim for service connection for a left foot disability, claimed as secondary to diabetes, is denied as there is no competent evidence showing that the disability is related to the Veteran's diabetes. The claim for service connection for squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue is remanded due to insufficient evidence on record regarding its etiology.,The claim for service connection for squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue is remanded due to insufficient evidence on record regarding its etiology, specifically concerning herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's bilateral ankle disability, including gastro-soleus equinus syndrome and bilateral pes planus (plantar fasciitis), is related to his active duty service.,The Veteran's bilateral knee disability was caused by his service-connected bilateral ankle disability. The low back disability is also linked to the service-connected bilateral ankle disability and bilateral feet disabilities.,PTSD is found to be related to the Veteran's active duty service, with a diagnosis of PTSD confirmed in private examination reports.,ED is determined to be secondary to PTSD, as diagnosed by a private examiner.,Obstructive sleep apnea is also found to be secondary to PTSD.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his bilateral foot disability, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a 50 percent rating under DC 5278 due to lack of all toes hammer toes.

The appeal for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea is dismissed. Service connection for a right foot disability is granted.

The Board has denied service connection for sleep apnea, right foot disability, sinusitis, and right ear hearing loss as there is no evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a right ankle and/or foot disability due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of his condition. The AOJ is instructed to attempt to obtain an opinion without requiring an in-person examination, if necessary.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left foot plantar fasciitis are being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination. The AOJ has attempted multiple times to contact the Veteran by phone and mail, but has been unsuccessful.

The Veteran's appeal for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for his service-connected left shoulder disability was dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of the appeal.,The claim for service connection for headaches has been reopened based on new and material evidence. The Board finds that the Veteran's headache disability is at least as likely as not related to his military service.,The issue of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis was remanded.,The issue of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus was remanded.,The issue of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for a low back disability was remanded.,Service connection for erectile dysfunction (ED) is remanded.,Service connection for a sleep disorder, to include sleep apnea, is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a headache disability, right ankle disability, and right foot hallux valgus, plantar fasciitis, status post bunionectomy (right foot disability) have been denied.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for intermittent recurrent bronchitis has also been denied.

The Veteran's claim for a 10 percent rating for painful scar, post right shoulder surgery is granted with an effective date of July 6, 2017. Service connection for allergic rhinitis and status post right tibia fracture are remanded due to new evidence received after the initial decision. The service connection for pes planus remains on appeal.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his military service.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim for service connection for a restrictive airway disease with mild intermittent asthma was granted. The claim is presumed to be connected to service due to exposure to burn pits and other toxins under the PACT Act.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as new evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Board has added new evidence and is remanding the cases for further review by the AOJ.

The Veteran's vertigo, seizure disorder, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability (lumbar spinal stenosis, lumbar spondylolisthesis, and spondylosis with radiculopathy), diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, bilateral eye disability, tinnitus, hypertension, chronic memory loss disability, chronic headache disability, major depressive disorder, right foot disability, right knee disability, arthritis, left foot disability, left knee disability, left hip disability, and right hip disability are not supported by evidence of record.,The Veteran's service connection claims for vertigo, seizure disorder, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability (lumbar spinal stenosis, lumbar spondylolisthesis, and spondylosis with radiculopathy), diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, bilateral eye disability, tinnitus, hypertension, chronic memory loss disability, chronic headache disability, major depressive disorder, right foot disability, right knee disability, arthritis, left foot disability, left knee disability, left hip disability, and right hip disability are denied.