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

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right foot and left foot plantar fasciitis, finding that there was no credible evidence to support the claim of in-service onset or relationship to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied multiple times, and no new or material evidence was submitted within the appeal period. The effective dates are set based on when the Veteran filed their most recent claim.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date of October 27, 2017, for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea was granted.,Service connection for left foot plantar fasciitis with calcaneal spurs and degenerative disease as secondary to obesity and service-connected disabilities is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected bilateral flat feet and lumbosacral strain have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for either condition.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for bilateral pes planus, finding that the Veteran's condition is at worst manifested by severe bilateral acquired flat foot with objective evidence of pain on manipulation and use accentuated, indication of swelling on use, and characteristic callosities. The benefit of the doubt doctrine does not apply as the claim for increase must be denied.

The Board has remanded the cases of bilateral pes planus, left hallux valgus, and right hallux valgus due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral talipes planus. The decision is remanded for further consideration of the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a disorder of the ankles and legs.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder, right ankle condition, right shoulder condition, left knee condition, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and migraines due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is dismissed as moot due to her already receiving the maximum allowable benefits.,Earlier effective dates are denied for flexion impairment of the left knee, GERD, and bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance, warranting an effective date of January 8, 2014 for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claim for SMC(o) was denied as he could not receive multiple awards of SMC(l). The right shoulder bicipital tendonitis rating was denied, and the TDIU claim was granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and the need for a new examination. The appellant's service connection claim for a foot disability is being reviewed.

The Board has determined that there are pre-decisional duty to assist errors in the October 2024 and April 2025 rating decisions, specifically regarding the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, pes planus, right knee disability, lower back strain (lumbosacral strain), and degenerative arthritis (osteoarthritis) in foot, right. The Board has therefore remanded these issues to correct these errors.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions regarding his bilateral knee and foot conditions. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions, which are currently found to be related to active duty.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was aggravated during service, his back disability is related to service, and his lower extremity radiculopathy is linked to his service-connected back disability. Service connection for all conditions has been granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors, requiring additional medical opinions and development.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date of October 22, 2019, for the award of service connection for right knee osteoarthritis.,The Board dismissed the Veteran's attempt to appeal the assigned effective date of March 23, 2020, for the grant of service connection for left foot plantar fasciitis.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus. The Veteran's lumbar disorder and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy are now secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. However, the Board finds that he may be entitled to service connection for a lumbar disorder and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy as due to his bilateral pes planus. The case is remanded for further action.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of any left and right foot disabilities, including bilateral plantar fasciitis. The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis will be remanded.

The Veteran's claims for tinnitus and an acquired psychiatric disability were dismissed due to improper concurrent elections.,The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of back, sciatic nerve, right shoulder, foot, skin, left-hand, or right-hand disabilities. The claim for headaches was also denied.