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

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus was granted in a June 2023 rating decision, thus the appeal is dismissed.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no credible evidence linking the current disability to service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis, finding that the preexisting condition was aggravated by service.,Service connection for chronic lumbar strain and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine (lumbar spine arthritis) is also granted based on continuity of symptoms since service separation.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his inability to report for VA examinations and failure to provide prison medical records. The Veteran is required to submit or authorize VA to obtain these records, and he must be scheduled for VA examinations regarding his bilateral shoulder, foot, back, hearing loss, and gastrointestinal disabilities.

The Veteran's right knee disability is granted as service-connected. The issues of compensable rating for right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, and bilateral flat feet are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including bilateral pes planus and chronic sinusitis. The TDIU and SMC issues are also remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and need for verification of duty status. The claims will be reviewed again with new examinations.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for obesity, OSA, DM, hypertension, and bilateral plantar fasciitis due to new and material evidence. The appeals are granted.

The appeal on the issue of entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 50 percent for bilateral flat feet with plantar fasciitis is dismissed.,The appeal on the issue of entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for irritable bowel syndrome is dismissed.,The appeal on the issue of entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for chronic bronchitis is dismissed.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability and radiculopathy of the lower extremities, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to active service.,The Board also denied service connection for bilateral foot disabilities, concluding that there was insufficient evidence to support a link between current foot issues and active service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including insomnia and other specified trauma and stressor related disorder, is currently rated at 30 percent from December 1, 2015. The claim for a higher rating remains denied.,The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated at 10 percent from February 26, 2020. The claim for a higher rating remains denied.,The Veteran's bilateral foot disability is rated at the maximum schedular rating under applicable diagnostic codes and no higher rating is granted.,The Veteran's allergic rhinitis does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various recurrent hand, hip, and foot disabilities to include degenerative arthritis, all claimed as due to herbicide agent exposure in Vietnam. The VA is instructed to schedule the Veteran for additional examinations to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as the evidence did not support a current diagnosis of PTSD.,The Veteran's claim for secondary service connection for a right foot disability to include as secondary to service-connected left knee strain with tendonitis with instability is remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The claims for a skin disability, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), left foot disability, low back disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability are all remanded for further examination and analysis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of his knee, hip, shoulder, and lumbar conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's left ankle psoriatic arthritis is granted a 20% rating, while his right and left foot psoriatic arthritis are granted a 40% rating. The right ankle psoriatic arthritis does not meet the criteria for an increased rating.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis secondary to service-connected bilateral knee disabilities. The cases of a psychiatric disability, bilateral hip disability, and bilateral foot disability (other than plantar fasciitis) are remanded due to incomplete examinations.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for sleep apnea and low back disability has been reopened, but the claims are still pending as new evidence did not establish a current disability or link to service.,The Veteran's claim for chronic sinusitis is being remanded due to its potential secondary relationship with his sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left foot hallux valgus, a left heel bone spur, right and left foot plantar fasciitis are all granted. The claims of service connection for right and left foot plantar fasciitis are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder secondary to his bilateral foot disability, rating in excess of 30 percent prior to April 13, 2023, and total disability rating due to individual unemployability. The remand requires additional medical opinions on causation and aggravation of the back disorder, as well as a retrospective evaluation of the Veteran's bilateral foot disability.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development to obtain and associate the Veteran's outstanding VA treatment records with his claims file. The rating for bilateral pes planus prior to May 5, 2023 is not considered as it has already been assigned the maximum schedular rating of 50 percent.