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

The appeal of the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, low back disability, headaches, left hand and index finger disability, bilateral foot disability, and PTSD is dismissed. The issues of service connection for a low back disability, headaches, left hand and index finger disability, and bilateral foot disability are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the merits of his claims.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate examination and a need for a new one examination.

The Veteran's hypertension is rated at 10 percent, effective October 6, 2020. The RO granted an earlier effective date of July 2, 2014, for the cervical spine disability.,The Veteran's left and right thumb disabilities are each rated at 10 percent, effective November 1, 2012. Separate ratings were assigned for her urinary incontinence, bilateral foot disability, and cervical spine disability.,The Veteran's bilateral pes cavus with bilateral plantar fasciitis is currently rated as 50 percent disabling.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disability is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's presbyopia is denied as not related to service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to incomplete service records and need for new medical opinions. Service connection is granted for tinnitus, but the issues of pes planus and left ankle disability are still pending.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to determine the severity of his service-connected bilateral foot condition and migraine headaches. The Board will consider whether a higher rating can be granted based on the current evidence.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of service connection for tinnitus, Meniere's disease, sinusitis, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, and bilateral pes planus. The VA examiner must consider the Veteran's lay statements regarding her alleged incidents during service and her lack of post-service treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal for an evaluation in excess of 50 percent for bilateral congenital pes planus with bilateral metatarsalgia is dismissed. The Board also remanded several issues related to his service-connected hip, knee, and ankle conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to a lack of recent Fort Bragg medical records and for additional VA examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left foot disability. The examiner did not address whether the leg length discrepancy was caused by his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable evaluation for a scar of the left elbow, service connection for bilateral pes planus, and service connection for his knee disabilities are being remanded due to lack of substantial compliance with prior Board instructions. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining and sustaining a substantially gainful occupation prior to July 27, 2005.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for right foot strain with associated bone spur and plantar fasciitis is remanded. The case was also remanded to determine if the Veteran had suffered loss of use of his right foot due to service-connected disability, which would warrant an increased rating.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for right hip, left hip, and bilateral flat foot disabilities as the appellant withdrew his appeal.

The Board has remanded the claims for a thorough examination to determine if any identified foot disabilities are related to service or due to service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right foot and hip disabilities, as well as his PTSD, bilateral knee disabilities, skin rash, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), sleep apnea, fatigue, left hip pain, a right-hand fracture, and an asbestos-related issue. The claims are being remanded to obtain VA addendum opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee instability are remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity was denied as VA did not receive a valid claim prior to June 15, 2015.,Claims for service connection for various conditions were previously denied in final rating decisions dated October 2006 and March 2009. The Veteran's claims have been reopened but no new evidence was submitted within one year of these decisions.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of December 28, 2014, for a 30% evaluation for bilateral foot disability is granted. The earliest effective date for the assignment of this rating is December 28, 2014.