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

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis (claimed as feet pain) is denied due to lack of evidence showing a relationship between the condition and active service.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee is remanded for further examination and evaluation.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for tension headaches is remanded for further examination and evaluation.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bruxism (claimed as teeth grinding) is remanded to determine if it is related to his service-connected PTSD with unspecified anxiety.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a bilateral foot disability as it is not clear if his current condition is related to service. The VA examiner provided an opinion that the Veteran's condition is less likely due to service, but this opinion was based on inaccurate information.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis and pes planus were granted service connection as they are related to his military service. For the right knee meniscal tear and chondromalacia, a rating of 10% was initially denied but later increased to 20% effective February 1, 2018.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for low back sprain, degenerative joint disease and bilateral plantar fasciitis was denied. For the low back disability, a rating greater than 20 percent prior to September 20, 2021 and to a rating greater than 40 percent thereafter is denied. For the bilateral plantar fasciitis, an initial 30 percent rating is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for pes planus, hallux valgus, and plantar fasciitis. The Board found that pes planus and hallux valgus were pre-existing conditions not aggravated by service, while plantar fasciitis was determined to be a direct service condition.

The Board has denied service connection for lower back disability, right foot disability (including plantar warts), right knee disability, left knee disability, and left elbow disability. Service connection was granted for a coronal suture scar.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral flat feet, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to an in-service injury or event.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, including a VA radiation exposure examination to determine if any current disabilities are related to in-service radiation exposure. The cases of service connection for high blood pressure and COPD remain pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's pes planus. The claim will be reviewed again with a new medical opinion.

The Veteran's initial rating for service-connected right foot plantar fasciitis was granted at a 10% level from October 14, 2003 to March 13, 2012 and at a 30% level thereafter. The TDIU claim due to PTSD was denied. Service connection for left knee disability (secondary), hay fever, lung condition, and sinusitis were remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral foot disabilities, cervical spine disability, and lumbar spine disability. The evidence did not show an in-service disease or injury that led to these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right foot scars and disability have been denied.,The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation of his service-connected right foot disability has also been denied.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings was remanded due to the need for further development. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence did not support a higher rating for his bilateral pes planus, as it did not meet the criteria for 'pronounced' flatfoot.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral Achilles tendon condition and bilateral calcaneal plantar posterior spurs due to inadequate examination opinions. The Veteran is required to undergo a VA examination to determine if his conditions are related to active duty.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hand disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, right foot disability, and left foot disability as there is no evidence of a current disability or in-service injury that caused these conditions.,Service treatment records did not show any diagnosed hand disabilities. The Veteran's claims are based on his statements regarding observable symptoms during service.

The Veteran's right knee meniscal tear and osteoarthritis, as well as his left knee meniscal tear (prior to September 1, 2019), were granted separate disability ratings. The Veteran's right knee replacement surgery resulted in a 60% rating beginning September 1, 2019. His bilateral plantar fasciitis and foot disabilities were denied initial higher ratings.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral pes planus, finding that the Veteran's preexisting condition did not worsen during his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral pes planus, migraine headaches, and a bilateral upper extremity condition due to further development being needed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and missing VA treatment records. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and TDIU have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of these claims. The remaining issues are remanded for further evaluation.