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

The Board has determined that the development conducted does not comply with the October 2017 Board remand. The Veteran's last known mailing address and phone number have been updated, and VA examinations are scheduled for various disabilities.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if any current foot disabilities or acquired psychological disability were incurred in service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for PTSD service connection is denied, and his SMC based on aid and attendance/housebound is also denied.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was rated at a 10 percent prior to July 18, 2018 and granted a 30 percent rating from that date.,The Veteran's right knee disability was remanded for additional development as there were outstanding non-VA treatment records not in the file.,The Veteran's Meniere's disease with chronic suppurative otitis media was remanded to determine if tinnitus should be considered a symptom and whether it warranted a separate rating prior to August 7, 2020.,The Veteran's alopecia with scarring was remanded for an addendum opinion on whether the condition is more appropriately characterized as discoid lupus erythematous.

The Veteran's service-connected GERD is rated at 20 percent, effective January 26, 2019. The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal concerning the issues of entitlement to a rating in excess of 50 percent for bilateral pes planus with metatarsalgia, a compensable rating for left foot hammer toes, and whether new and relevant evidence has been received to reopen previously denied claims for service connection. The remaining issues were dismissed.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a compensable evaluation for plantar psoriasis and TDIU due to issues with the pre-decisional duty to assist error. A new VA examination is needed.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's left foot disability, which may be related to service. A VA examination is needed to determine if the condition is at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by service.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral foot disorder, including bilateral pes planus, plantar fasciitis, and hallux valgus, finding that the Veteran's conditions did not manifest during active service and are not otherwise related to active service.

The Board denied service connection for left and right foot pes planus, as the Veteran's preexisting flat feet did not worsen during his active duty service.,The Board also denied service connection for left and right foot hallux rigidus with degenerative arthritis, finding that there was no in-service injury or disease to these joints.

The Board denied service connection for a right eye disability and bilateral pes planus due to lack of evidence linking the disabilities to service. The Veteran's claims were based on his assertion that he incurred these conditions during active duty, but there is no medical evidence showing an onset or progression of these conditions until after separation from service.

The Veteran's right foot plantar warts are currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board denied a higher rating. The claim for TDIU on an extraschedular basis was granted.

The Board has remanded the issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to April 5, 2021 due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities. The AOJ is directed to consider referral for extraschedular consideration under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b).

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected foot disabilities and to determine if he is unemployable due to his service-connected conditions prior to September 5, 2021.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability, bilateral foot disability, and impaired fertility. The denial was based on lack of evidence establishing an in-service injury or disease that caused these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a higher level of SMC based on aid and attendance, finding that his service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for this benefit.

The Veteran is unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities, including chronic adjustment disorder with alcohol use disorder, right foot disability, left foot disability, right ankle disability, left ankle disability, GERD, and left foot scar. The Board has granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's service-connected right foot and wrist disabilities have rendered him unemployable for the period prior to June 30, 2008. The Board has granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has remanded the claims for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, a left eye disability, and a left foot disability due to additional VA clinical documentation being received.

The Veteran's left foot hallux valgus (bunionectomy) surgery due to service-connected bilateral pes planus was granted a temporary rating of 100% from October 3, 2014, to February 19, 2015.