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

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his left leg amputation and traumatic brain injury, meet the criteria for eligibility for specially adapted housing due to permanent total service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis, post-operative left knee injury, hemorrhoids, and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment due to his physical limitations. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these disabilities preclude him from obtaining such employment.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral flat feet, back condition, residuals of heat stroke, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) due to a request from the Veteran's representative for information about the qualifications of VA examiners who conducted compensation and pension examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not limit or prevent participation in the avocational interests of exercise, photography, and music. The Board denied the request for VR&E benefits to purchase a music keyboard, stationary and electric bicycles, and camera as part of his avocational activities.

The Board has remanded the cases of bilateral pes planus, right foot bone spur, and right knee disorder due to inadequate consideration of all relevant evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left foot, hip, ankle, and shoulder disabilities are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left foot, left knee, right foot, and right knee disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's appeals for right knee disorder, left shoulder strain, bilateral pes planus, and left foot hallux valgus have been dismissed. The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to greater than 50 percent for unspecified anxiety disorder, service connection for alcohol abuse, hypertension secondary to psychiatric disorder, and degenerative joint disease of ankles.

The Board denied service connection for a right foot condition and gastrointestinal disability, finding no evidence of a nexus to active duty.,An increased rating in excess of 20 percent for left foot navicular fracture was granted.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was documented at the time of his initial enlistment, and there is no evidence indicating that it underwent an aggravation during service. The Board finds that the condition has not been permanently aggravated beyond its natural progression by his service.,Service connection for a low back disorder is remanded due to the need for clarification on whether the in-service complaint had been considered.,The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) was diagnosed at least several years earlier than during service, and this matter must be remanded for an addendum opinion clarifying that the complete factual record has been considered.,Service connection for a sinus disorder is remanded due to the need for clarification on whether the Veteran had such a condition during the appeal period that resolved prior to the more recent examinations.,The Veteran's allergic rhinitis was not diagnosed at the time of the VA examination, and this matter must be remanded for an addendum opinion clarifying whether he had such a condition during the appeal period.,Service connection for right carpal tunnel syndrome is remanded due to the need for clarification on whether the Veteran's condition is proximately due or aggravated by his service-connected left wrist disability.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, must be remanded due to the need for an appropriate records search and examination regarding a verified in-service stressor.

The Board has granted a rating of 30 percent for the Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus with left neuroma prior to May 11, 2015.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right foot pes planus, finding that it clearly preexisted service but was not aggravated by service.

The Veteran's tinnitus and migraines have been granted service connection.,Service connection for migraines has also been granted. The Board found that the Veteran had a current disability of migraines that started in service.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 60 percent, and the right knee disability is rated at 50 percent. The Veteran seeks increased ratings for these conditions.,SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status from March 1, 2021 was denied as he does not meet the criteria.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral pes planus was denied, and her TDIU claim was also denied due to lack of cooperation in providing necessary information.

The Veteran's bilateral foot and left ankle disabilities are remanded for further examination to determine if they are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates in both his bilateral pes planus and PTSD ratings are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee osteoarthritis, post-operative medial meniscal repair and bilateral pes planus has been granted. The decision also remanded the issues of service connection for erectile dysfunction.

The Board has withdrawn the appeal of hypertension and has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral foot disability and right shoulder disability.