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

The claims of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral foot disability, left knee disability, and TBI have been reopened. The cases are being remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) due to additional information received after a previous medical opinion. The AOJ is required to arrange for a VA medical opinion to determine if the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his bilateral knee condition and other conditions, contributed to his obesity and thus aggravated his OSA.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including ratings for mast cell activation syndrome, bilateral foot disability, lumbar spine disability, right elbow and shoulder disabilities, scars, gastroesophageal reflux disease with hiatal hernia, and hemorrhoids. The decision also includes a request for additional evidence from VA and private sources.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his bilateral knee and lumbar spine conditions, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since February 20, 2012. The Board granted the TDIU claim effective from that date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral flat feet and hand/finger disability due to inadequate examination findings. The Veteran contends his pre-existing conditions were aggravated by service, while VA records suggest other causes.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for VR&E benefits as he is currently employed and has overcome any employment handicap.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issue of service connection for a right foot disability.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased initial ratings for right and left foot plantar fasciitis, sinusitis, and pseudofolliculitis before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's right leg disability is granted as service-connected. The left shoulder, right shoulder, and right foot disabilities are remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for a left ankle disability and remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral foot disabilities. The decision finds that the Veteran's current left ankle disability is related to his active service, but does not provide a rating or effective date as this matter was remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for skin disability, hypertension, right foot disability, residuals of a head injury other than visual defect of the eyes, and prostate disability due to exposure to herbicides. The claims are being remanded again as the VA examinations and opinions provided were inadequate.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral foot pain and degenerative arthritis of the spine due to inadequate medical opinions in prior examinations. The Veteran's service connection claims are now pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a right shoulder condition and bilateral plantar fasciitis due to potential issues with causation and etiology, specifically related to her service in Southwest Asia.

The Board has determined that additional information is needed to accurately rate the Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus, plantar fasciitis, and bilateral subtalar degenerative arthritis. The Veteran's lumbar spine condition secondary to his service-connected foot disabilities remains in need of clarification.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral pes planus preexisted service and was aggravated by service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral pes planus and chronic fatigue syndrome due to inadequate examinations and failure to address the Veteran's assertions. The claims are being sent back for new VA examinations.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension and a right foot disability, as new medical opinions are required to address the relationship between these conditions and his service-connected disabilities or medications.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis was granted a 50% rating effective February 6, 2019. The claim for increased rating is granted.

The Veteran's left foot pes planus was granted service connection as it clearly and unmistakably pre-existed service and was aggravated during active duty.,Service connection for left foot plantar fasciitis is granted as the condition developed due to her service-connected left foot pes planus. The Board also found that aggravation of left ankle arthritis by ACDUTRA period may have occurred.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back, right foot, and left foot disabilities due to incomplete medical opinions in the prior VA examination reports. The case is returned to the AOJ for further development.