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

The Veteran's bilateral flatfoot with plantar fasciitis and calcaneal spurs resulted in a maximum schedular rating of 50 percent as of August 4, 2017. Prior to that date, the disability was rated at 30 percent.,As of August 4, 2017, the Veteran's bilateral flatfoot with plantar fasciitis and calcaneal spurs resulted in pronounced acquired flat foot with associated symptomatology not contemplated by the current rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent prior to June 21, 2002, for service-connected bilateral pes planus. The evidence showed symptoms such as tenderness to deep palpation, slight hammering of the lateral fourth toe on both feet, and a slight hallux valgus deformity in the right foot.

The Veteran's lumbar spine DDD status post lumbar fusion L4-S1 with IVDS is currently rated at 20 percent since June 25, 2022. The appeal remains before the Board as the AOJ did not grant the maximum disability rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in its decision regarding TDIU and DEA benefits, specifically for the period prior to April 4, 2011. The Veteran's service-connected conditions are expected to be reassessed on remand.

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to August 3, 2022, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter for the Veteran's lumbar spine condition. The case is remanded for further development regarding service connection claims for left and right foot conditions and a skin condition manifested by calluses on both feet.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and bilateral plantar fasciitis, finding that there is no evidence to support a relationship between these conditions and active service.

The Board has denied service connection for residuals of a back injury and bilateral pes planus, finding that the evidence does not support a link between these conditions and service.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral foot disorder, including pes planus, Morton's neuroma, metatarsalgia, hammer toes, hallux valgus, plantar fascitis, and degenerative arthritis, based on the evidence showing that these conditions are related to in-service foot pain.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for varicose veins in the left lower leg was denied, while his claim for service connection for left foot plantar fasciitis was granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to a lack of adequate nexus opinions regarding secondary service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for multiple palmar and plantar hyperkeratosis in May 1968, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus to service. The decision is not considered CUE.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right and left fallen arches and heel pain, right and left plantar fasciitis, bilateral hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, and acid reflux due to inadequate opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was found to have been aggravated by service, leading to the grant of service connection.,Service connection for tinnitus is granted based on in-service noise exposure. However, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD) is denied due to lack of evidence linking it to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of bilateral pes planus, left foot hallux valgus, and right foot hallux valgus as these conditions were granted on a secondary basis to his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran was able to maintain employment at a university despite his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and foot conditions. The Board found the evidence did not support a TDIU prior to August 16, 2020.

The Veteran requested to withdraw all his claims, including service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, a right shoulder disorder, a left shoulder disorder, a lumbar spine disorder, a left knee disorder, a right ankle disorder, a left ankle disorder, and a bilateral foot disorder. As a result, the appeals are dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to errors in obtaining and verifying all periods of active duty, including ACDUTRA. The Veteran is not entitled to service connection for his claimed disabilities as they do not appear to be related to any period of ACDUTRA.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for left and right flat feet with plantar fasciitis has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was previously rated at 30 percent prior to May 18, 2022, and now has a staged rating of 50 percent beginning May 18, 2022. The current ratings are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus, bilateral hammertoes, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and a back disability. The Veteran's DM is remanded due to the need for further medical examination.