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

The Veteran's service connection claims for lordosis, lumbar spine disability, bilateral pes planus, and bilateral foot disability have been denied. The Board found that the preexisting conditions were not aggravated by service.,There is no evidence of a chronic lumbar spine or bilateral foot disability during active service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a left foot disability due to conflicting evidence of record regarding whether he has a current left foot diagnosis of metatarsalgia that is related to his active duty service. A new examination is needed to clarify this issue.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral foot conditions other than equinus deformity of foot with metatarsalgia is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis, left foot hallux valgus and moderate arthritis of the great toe MTP joints, and right foot hallux valgus and moderate arthritis of the great toe MTP joint was denied. The Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating for his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus is reopened, and the case is remanded to determine if his preexisting condition was aggravated by service. The TDIU issue remains inextricably intertwined with the service connection issue.

The Board has remanded the cases due to non-compliance with previous remand directives and the need for additional development, including verification of service in the Reserves and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left ankle disability and initial ratings for bilateral pes planus with left plantar fasciitis and plantar calcaneal spur. The evidence did not support current diagnoses of these conditions.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection for bilateral pes planus. Service connection was granted for tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and evaluation of additional foot conditions, including left foot degenerative arthritis, flat foot, plantar fasciitis, and acquired pes planovalgus. The Veteran's service-connected left calcaneus fracture with posttraumatic osteoarthritis is being evaluated.

The reduction of the rating for bilateral pes planus from 50 percent to 30 percent was improper, and the 50 percent rating is restored, effective November 1, 2017. The Veteran's entitlement to a higher rating for bilateral pes planus remains under appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, chronic disabilities related to dentures and gums, hip disabilities, and a stroke, must be remanded due to outstanding in-service medical records and VA medical records not being associated with the case file. The AOJ is instructed to obtain these records and attempt to verify the Veteran's periods of duty as well as status.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and examination, as the VA examinations were insufficient in addressing the Veteran's claims.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding it secondary to service-connected obstructive sleep apnea. The right foot and right hip disabilities are remanded due to lack of a VA examination addressing their relationship to service.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is already established.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and temporary total disability rating due to his right foot disability, GERD, and migraine headache. The RO is instructed to obtain complete service personnel records and treatment records related to the Veteran's National Guard or Army Reserve service, as well as VA medical opinions regarding the etiology of his GERD and migraine headaches.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various conditions, including bilateral lower extremities, cervical and lumbar spine conditions, headaches (cephalgia), right and left knee conditions, shin splints in both legs, and a disability of the right lower extremity. The remand requires additional medical opinions on these claims.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for cervical degenerative disc disease and bilateral heel spurs have been withdrawn. The remaining claims are remanded for further development.,The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for bilateral plantar fasciitis, unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder, scar, left palm, and dermatophytosis are remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis has been granted an increased rating of 30 percent effective December 17, 2013. The appeal for higher ratings before this date is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on statutory housebound status was denied as he did not meet the requirements of having a single service-connected disability rated at 100 percent and additional disabilities independently ratable at 60 percent or more, which would qualify him for SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including posttraumatic stress disorder, major depressive disorder, atherosclerotic heart disease, sleep apnea, and residuals of plantar warts of the right foot, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to February 18, 2014. The Board has granted TDIU effective from February 26, 2010.