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

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete records, and requests that the Veteran provide any missing private treatment records related to his lumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for heart disability, right shoulder disability, bilateral wrist disabilities, bilateral knee disabilities, and bilateral foot disabilities due to unclear evidence regarding the nature of his conditions. The Veteran is asked to provide authorization for VA to obtain private treatment records from Dr. D.G., and a new examination is required to determine the etiology of these disabilities.

The Veteran's previously denied claims for sleep disability, anxiety, pes planus, left knee disability, right knee disability, and back disability are reopened. The appeals for these issues are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's pes planus is granted as service-connected due to aggravation during service. The left knee disability, right hamstring and right calf disabilities are denied as not related to service or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance/housebound status due to her ability to perform many activities of daily living with assistance when needed.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his vocational rehabilitation records.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral flat feet, left ankle disability (secondary to bilateral flat feet), and left knee disability (secondary to bilateral flat feet) due to incomplete compliance with previous remand directives regarding the Veteran's pre-existing pes planus.

The Board has decided that the Veteran does not have a right elbow disability and denied service connection. The issue of bilateral pes planus is remanded for further review.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disability is remanded for further evaluation and evidence collection.

The Board has granted service connection for a left foot disability, including hammer toes, pes planus, degenerative arthritis of the foot, plantar fasciitis, and calcaneal heel spur, as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected postoperative chondrosarcoma, right femur with metallic prosthesis of proximal shaft and head.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for gastrointestinal disability, right ear hearing loss, and foot disabilities have been remanded due to the need for additional development. The gastrointestinal claim has reopened based on new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder in September 2015 and an ankle disorder in September 2008. The Veteran's claims were not reopened.,For the low back, new evidence did not relate to Shedden element (3), the relationship between current symptoms and service.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus and bilateral plantar fasciitis have been granted initial ratings of 30 percent each, effective July 11, 2012. The issues of service connection for these conditions are also resolved in his favor.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding VA and private treatment records, as well as SSA disability benefits records. The Veteran is also required to undergo a VA examination for his left jaw injury claim and an addendum opinion regarding his left testicle pain. An addendum opinion is needed for his right and left foot claims.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right foot, left foot, and skin disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions. The Veteran's lay statements will be considered in forming a new opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a bilateral foot disability, bilateral knee disability, and low back disability due to incomplete medical records and the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's right foot pes planus, metatarsalgia, hammer toes, and arthritis are granted as secondary to his service-connected open dislocation of the metatarsophalangeal joint right great toe and fractured based of third metatarsal.

The Veteran's right knee disability has been rated at 10% since July 1, 2013. A separate 10% rating was granted from January 25, 2019.,Right ankle and left ankle disabilities have not met the criteria for a higher rating under current VA regulations.,The Veteran's right foot disability has been rated at 10% since July 1, 2013. No higher rating is warranted due to lack of evidence of more severe impairment.,The Veteran's left foot disability has also been rated at 10% since July 1, 2013. No higher rating is warranted.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral pes planus and granted service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to a service-connected lumbar strain with history of herniated disc.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a bilateral eye disability including vision loss, and a left foot disability due to potential issues with the medical opinions provided. The AOJ is instructed to obtain updated treatment records, arrange for VA examinations, and consider special procedures under 38 C.F.R. § 3.311 if applicable.