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

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder and multiple orthopedic conditions, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that he meets the requirements for a TDIU based on his combined disability ratings.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral pes planus, thyroid disorder, and diabetes mellitus are granted. The claim for service connection of the thyroid disorder and diabetes mellitus is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claims for higher evaluations of his service-connected major depressive disorder, left foot crushing injury, and left ankle tendonitis are being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule the Veteran for examinations to assess the severity of these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a bilateral foot disability, finding that there is not clear and unmistakable evidence to rebut the presumption of soundness at entry into service. The Board also found no clear and unmistakable evidence showing the condition was aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for a new VA examination or medical opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis, specifically whether his symptoms are functionally equivalent to the rating criteria for pes cavus.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a bilateral foot disability due to insufficient medical evidence on file. A VA examination is needed to determine if his current foot disabilities are related to service, including aggravation of any pre-existing conditions.

The Veteran's intractable plantar keratosis, status post metatarsal osteotomy, third metatarsal right foot was rated at 10 percent from June 9, 2009 to September 1, 2009 and has been granted a rating of 30 percent since then. The effective date for the grant of service connection is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability. The remaining issues of secondary service connection for various disabilities are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hallux valgus, toe disability (other than hallux valgus), pes planus, and foot disability (other than pes planus) as the preexisting conditions were not aggravated by service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, along with other disabilities, has prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation since August 25, 2017. The Board granted TDIU prior to June 4, 2018, but dismissed the claim as moot after that date due to the Veteran's 100% rating for PTSD.

Service connection for bilateral hallux valgus is granted. Service connection for bilateral pes planus and foot impairment other than hallux valgus and pes planus, to include Achilles tendinitis, plantar fasciitis, and sinus tarsitis are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service.

The Board has found that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus and fatigue were aggravated by service, but there is insufficient evidence to determine if this aggravation was clearly and unmistakably not due to service. The claims are therefore remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right leg pain, low back disability, and bilateral foot disability due to inadequate examination opinions. The issues are related to whether these disabilities are secondary to his service-connected varicose veins.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for low back, left knee, right knee, residuals of left rib injury, sleep apnea, and bilateral foot disabilities due to additional evidence being added to the claims file.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the issues of entitlement to an initial increased rating in excess of 50 percent disabling for bilateral pes planus, entitlement to an increased rating in excess of 20 percent disabling for left ankle disability for the period prior to November 16, 2015, and entitlement to a TDIU for the period prior to May 5, 2015. As a result, these issues are dismissed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a low back condition, bilateral knee and foot conditions, left ear hearing loss, an eye condition (dry eye syndrome), a skin condition (psoriasis), a thyroid condition, an acquired psychiatric disorder, a left parapharyngeal space mass, a salivary gland disorder, and bilateral tenosynovitis of the wrists.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are currently pending due to remand orders.

The Board has remanded the claims for further evaluation due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's joint pain and arthritis are related to his service, specifically fuel exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right and left foot disabilities as secondary to her service-connected right and left knee disabilities.

The Board has ordered additional VA examinations for the Veteran's claimed right and left foot disabilities, as well as his obstructive sleep apnea. The claims are being remanded due to failure to appear for scheduled examinations.