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

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examinations. The claims include bilateral pes planus, lumbosacral arthritis with strain, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, hearing loss, tinnitus, head injury residuals, skin disability, CAD, shortness of breath, and ankle disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to issues with the appellant's discharge and the need for additional medical opinions regarding his left foot disability.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral foot disabilities, which included pes planus, hallux valgus, sesamoiditis, and a right sesamoidectomy, did not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment prior to March 24, 2010.

The Veteran's right shoulder strain, bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis (prior to October 18, 2019), and bilateral hallux valgus were all granted initial disability ratings. However, the Veteran's bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis was denied a higher rating since October 18, 2019, and his right foot hallux valgus and left foot hallux valgus were each granted an initial disability rating of 10 percent. A separate 10 percent disability rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis was granted effective February 7, 2021.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left foot disabilities, tinnitus, and sleep apnea have been remanded due to the need for additional development.,Service connection has been granted for migraine headaches and dry eye syndrome with visual disturbances.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection, TDIU, and nonservice-connected pension due to incomplete development and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's current bilateral foot disorder, diagnosed as plantar fasciitis, is related to his military service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a bilateral foot disability and gastrointestinal disability due to pre-decisional error in not obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development and examination regarding his service-connected foot disabilities, including a new rating for bilateral metatarsalgia. The issues of earlier effective dates for TDIU and DEA are also remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted service connection. Other disabilities are remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination findings and needs a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's left plantar fasciitis is related to his service-connected right foot condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus is at least as likely as not related to his active duty service and granted entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, a neck disability (previously claimed as upper back disability), and other conditions. The claims are remanded for further development including VA examinations.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims due to new evidence added since the last decision. The Veteran will need a VA examination for his bilateral plantar fasciitis and an addendum opinion regarding his right ankle condition.

The Board has found that remand is necessary to obtain an addendum medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's diagnosed bilateral foot disabilities, including plantar fasciitis, metatarsalgia, tibial tendon dysfunction, and possible calcaneal bone spurs.

The Board has found that a remand is necessary to obtain VA examinations and opinions for the Veteran's claims of right foot disability and abdominal hernia, as well as to clarify the current disabilities element of these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities are not shown as chronic in service, did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period, continuity of symptomatology is not established, and are not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury or disease. Therefore, service connection for cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral leg disability, bilateral foot disability, sinus disability (to include sinus headaches), and hypertension has been denied.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims for various conditions as the appellant died during the appeal process.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetic nephropathy, PTSD, diabetes mellitus with retinopathy, cervical sprain, tinnitus, right and left knee degenerative joint disease, pes planus, and left eardrum surgery residuals, preclude him from engaging in gainful employment consistent with his education and experience. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the combined rating of 90 percent.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for PTSD and service connection for bilateral pes planus and right foot hallux valgus is remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.