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

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of his bilateral foot disorders and whether they are related to service. The examiner must address if his pre-existing pes planus was aggravated by military service, if his gout is related to in-service complaints, and if it is secondary to any service-connected disabilities.

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

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for PTSD and an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss have been dismissed. The Board has remanded the remaining issues of service connection for hypertension, sleep apnea, right ankle disability, left ankle disability, right foot disability (other than right lower extremity neuropathy), left foot disability (other than left lower extremity neuropathy), and migraine headaches.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral flat feet and bilateral knee disability, finding no probative medical evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's right and left foot disabilities are currently rated at 30 percent each, but the Board found no evidence of loss of use of either foot. The Veteran's hypertension is also rated at 30 percent.,The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a TDIU prior to December 28, 2017.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus has been granted. The Board also remanded the issue of entitlement to service connection for a foot and/or ankle disability other than pes planus, finding that additional development is needed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment since September 12, 2019.

The Veteran's appeal seeking service connection for a right shoulder injury is dismissed. Service connection for residuals of traumatic brain injury and right foot disability are granted. The issue of service connection for left foot disability is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities contribute in substantial part to his vocational impairment, and he has not overcome the effects of such impairment. VR&E services under Chapter 31 are granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient rationale in the VA examiner's opinion regarding whether preexisting bilateral pes planus was aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that additional development is required for the claims of service connection for a bilateral foot disorder and TDIU due to the need for an etiology opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral foot disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left great toe arthritis and bilateral pes planus due to insufficient opinions on the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's right and left foot pes planus were reopened due to new evidence showing the pre-existing condition did not worsen during service. Service connection for hypertension, right hip disorder, left hip disorder, right foot gout, and left foot gout was denied as these conditions are not related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral pes planus was aggravated by service. The examiner must consider and discuss the Veteran's lay statements of increased pain during service, as well as a clinical study submitted by his representative.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, right and left ankle disabilities, and right and left shin splints as these conditions are not shown to have started during active service or be related to any in-service injury.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for left foot plantar fasciitis was dismissed.,Service connection for right foot plantar fasciitis as secondary to his service-connected right knee injury is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone preclude substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's initial request for a higher rating for right foot plantar fasciitis with metatarsalgia was denied.,A 30 percent initial rating was granted for bilateral pes planus, effective August 31, 2017.

The Veteran's appeal for a disability evaluation in excess of 30 percent for service connected left foot plantar fasciitis with heel strain was dismissed. The appeal for TDIU was granted, and the appeals for increased evaluations for lumbar spine disability and right shoulder tendonitis were remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral foot disability, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities did not begin in service or within one year of separation from active duty.