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

The Board has granted a compensable initial evaluation of 10 percent for the Veteran's bilateral pes planus, finding that his symptoms include pain on use. The Board did not find evidence supporting higher ratings based on more severe manifestations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus (flat feet) is service-connected, as it was not noted on his entrance examination and did not clearly and unmistakably preexist service. The symptoms of flat feet were first observed during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for VA compensation purposes in relation to his claimed conditions, and thus service connection is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus, cervical spine disability, thoracolumbar spine disability, and psychiatric disorder are denied. The Veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension is remanded due to pending SSA disability benefits application.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for pes planus, finding that it did not meet the criteria due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and initial rating determinations due to incomplete development. The hearing loss claim is denied, while the remaining issues are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The remaining issues of service connection for back disability, right hip disability, left hip disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, and both feet disabilities are remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the nature of the Veteran's service.

The Veteran's bilateral flat feet, right knee status post meniscus tear, and thoracolumbar spine disc herniation were not service connected as they did not have their onset during or within one year after service. The Board found no evidence of aggravation of the pre-existing conditions during service.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as service-connected due to in-service exposure to herbicide agents. The right knee and left foot disabilities are remanded for further examination, and the chronic heart disability is also remanded.

The Veteran's right and left shoulder acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis are presumed related to his active-duty service.,The Veteran's neck disability, bilateral pes planus, sleep apnea, chronic hypersomnolence, chronic fatigue, chronic diarrhea, chronic memory loss, and mood disorder (due to an undiagnosed illness) may be due to exposure to environmental hazards during his Gulf War service.

The Veteran's stomach disability (ulcerative colitis) is granted service connection. An initial 70 percent rating for PTSD throughout the appeal period is granted. The Veteran's left and right foot disabilities are remanded for further examination and opinion. Service connection for sinusitis and tonsillectomy residuals are also remanded.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an opinion regarding the Veteran's right foot disabilities, specifically his 2007 heel fracture and 2016 metatarsal fracture. The remand is due to the failure of the VA examiner to address these issues as per the May 2022 Board directive.

The Veteran's right foot disability is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination and information about the January 2017 VA examiner.

The Veteran's requests to withdraw the issues of pes planus in excess of 10 percent prior to March 27, 2017 and pes planus in excess of 30 percent from March 27, 2017 to February 6, 2018 have been granted. The Veteran's request to withdraw the issues of pes planus in excess of 50 percent on and after February 6, 2018, major depressive disorder with alcohol use disorder in excess of 50 percent prior to July 16, 2021, and major depressive disorder with alcohol use disorder in excess of 70 percent on and after July 16, 2021 have been granted. The Veteran's request to withdraw the issue of entitlement to TDIU prior to June 25, 2015 has also been granted.,The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a back disability, fibromyalgia, and increased ratings for pes planus and major depressive disorder with alcohol use disorder. The Veteran is required to undergo additional examinations in order to determine the presence and severity of his disabilities.

The Board has determined that the VA medical opinions provided do not comply with the remand instructions and thus, the claims for service connection are being remanded again.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and evaluation due to conflicting medical opinions regarding the Veteran's right knee disorder and left foot disorders. The claims are being returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for additional consideration.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the issues of entitlement to service connection for various foot and ankle disabilities remain unresolved due to additional evidence submitted since the last final decision. The Board has determined that further development is needed before these claims can be decided.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for left and right foot disabilities, as secondary to knee disabilities due to inadequate VA examination reports.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has ordered a remand for the Veteran's claims of service connection for right and left foot disabilities due to incomplete follow-up on previous VA examinations.