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

The Veteran's bilateral ankle disorder was not caused by any in-service injury, disease, or event; has not existed continuously since service; did not manifest to a compensable degree within one year of service separation; and is not related to his service-connected bilateral pes planus. The evidence does not show that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, including PTSD, and bilateral foot disability (excluding pes planus) are granted as service-connected. The cases of back disability and radiculopathy are remanded for further review.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 30 percent rating for bilateral pes planus is denied as there is no evidence of receipt of the August 1976 notification letter, and the Veteran did not submit additional evidence within one year.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to February 14, 2019 and a higher rating thereafter is dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for intervertebral disk syndrome prior to February 10, 2013 and a higher rating thereafter is dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for intervertebral disk syndrome prior to July 25, 2008 is dismissed.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right foot disability has been reopened based on new and material evidence.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression) is granted.,TDIU from February 14, 2019 is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for bilateral pes planus, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease (DDD), right and left shin splints, or PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing new VA medical opinions regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, sinus or nose disability, bilateral foot disability, and back disability. The issues of service connection for these conditions are now pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation from December 20, 2020. The Board has granted TDIU.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including reviewing additional evidence submitted by the Veteran. The issues of hip, knee, and foot disabilities significantly impact the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of bilateral hearing loss is denied. Service connection has been granted for pes planus and tinea pedis, but the other foot disorders are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral pes planus was aggravated by his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

Service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis and tinnitus is granted. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.,The Veteran's current diagnoses of bilateral plantar fasciitis and tinnitus are related to his service-connected disabilities, specifically bilateral anterior crural neuritis and hearing loss respectively.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine DJD, right knee DJD, left knee DJD, left shoulder DJD, right foot pes planus, and left foot pes planus. The decision resolves all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development regarding service connection for right ankle and right foot disabilities, as well as the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for higher evaluations for his service-connected disabilities of bilateral plantar fasciitis, bilateral ankles, right knee, and fifth metatarsal of the left foot require additional development due to a lack of updated VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his left foot hammer toes is granted, as he has hammer toe deformity of all toes, unilaterally. The maximum schedular disability rating for the condition is assigned.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is granted as service connected. The claims for pulmonary disorder (including pneumonia and COPD) and bilateral foot disabilities are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records, as well as providing a VA examination to address his service-connected onychomycosis, left foot disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder, and TMJ.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for left leg, back, and bilateral foot disabilities due to additional development being necessary.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral foot disability. The issues of service connection for seizure disorder and low back disability remain unresolved.

The Veteran's right and left foot disabilities, COPD, and MDD have been granted service connection. The hearing loss claim remains denied.,Service connection for the Veteran's right and left foot disabilities is established based on in-service injury and continuity of symptomatology.