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

The Veteran's TDIU due to service-connected bilateral foot pes planus is granted, effective May 29, 2019. Additionally, the Veteran's SMC housebound based on her TDIU and other service-connected disabilities is also granted.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The issues of service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, right wrist disability, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and bilateral foot disability are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been withdrawn and dismissed.,Service connection for left knee strain was denied as the evidence does not support an in-service injury or disease, and there is no credible link between current symptoms and service.,Service connection for a bilateral foot disability was denied due to lack of evidence of an in-service injury or disease. The Veteran's testimony about chronic pain during service did not align with contemporaneous records indicating he did not seek treatment for left knee issues.,The Veteran's claim for right shoulder disability, psychiatric disorder (PTSD and major depressive disorder), cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, and radiculopathy was remanded as the evidence is insufficient to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient information regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused or aggravated his obesity, which in turn may have contributed to his obstructive sleep apnea. The VA needs to obtain a more detailed medical opinion on these issues.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral plantar warts was denied as the disability affects less than 5% of his body and does not require any medication. The claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, to include as due to asbestos exposure, was also denied because there is no evidence linking the condition to military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to inadequate VA examinations and lack of contemporaneous medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for various musculoskeletal conditions, including right shoulder impingement syndrome, rotator cuff tendinitis and osteoarthritis; right knee iliotibial band syndrome; recurrent ankle sprain residuals; recurrent hamstring disability; bilateral plantar fasciitis; heel spurs; and hip degenerative arthritis. The appeal for service connection for a left hamstring disability has been withdrawn.

The appeal for service connection for atopic dermatitis is dismissed. The appeals for sinusitis, left knee disorder, left hip impingement syndrome, allergic rhinitis, pes planus, right hand sprain, and right hamstring strain are all remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, sleep apnea, and bilateral foot conditions are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left foot disorder, including secondary to his service-connected total knee replacement left knee (left knee disability), finding that the condition did not clearly and unmistakably exist prior to service or be aggravated by service. The Board also found no evidence of aggravation beyond natural progression.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including determining the appropriate effective dates and rating decisions.

The Board has remanded the case to issue a supplemental statement of the case addressing all issues related to the claim of an increased rating for residuals, status post repair, of laceration of the left Achilles tendon.

The Board denied an increased rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating due to the severity of symptoms relieved by built-up shoe or arch support.,The appeal for TDIU was dismissed as withdrawn.

The Board has found the VA examinations inadequate and remanded for further development, including scheduling new examinations to address service connection claims for various foot, ankle, knee, and back disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right foot disability, including hammertoes, hallux valgus, and degenerative arthritis of the MTP joint, is etiologically related to service. Therefore, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for bilateral pes planus, degenerative disc disease and anterolisthesis of the lumbar spine, degenerative joint disease and chondromalacia of the left knee, degenerative joint disease and chondromalacia of the right knee, and umbilical hernia with residual scar due to additional evidence or functional loss.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development to obtain an addendum medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's low back disability and bilateral hip disabilities are attributable to service, specifically standing for prolonged periods of time with equipment/gear on.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a right knee disability and bilateral flatfoot disability due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of April 11, 2019.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to missing VA treatment records and further examination.