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

The Board has remanded the cases due to unclear relationship between service-connected foot strain and other conditions, including pes planus and plantar fasciitis.

The Veteran's right knee arthritis and bilateral heel spurs are denied as the evidence does not support a connection to service.,Service connection for plantar fasciitis is denied due to lack of current diagnosis. The Veteran's heel spurs are found not connected to any period of service.,GERD is remanded as there is insufficient evidence regarding its onset and relationship to service.,Right wrist condition is remanded as the VA records do not support a connection to service, despite the Veteran's testimony and history.,Lumbar spine condition is remanded due to lack of sufficient medical evidence connecting it to service.

The Board has granted service connection for a lower back disability and remanded the issue of whether preexisting bilateral pes planus was aggravated during service.

The Veteran's right knee disability, diagnosed as osteoarthritis and patellofemoral pain syndrome, is granted on the merits.,The left knee disability manifested by pain is secondary to his service-connected right knee disability (patellofemoral pain syndrome).,Bilateral pes planus was aggravated during service.

The Board has granted service connection for left foot pes planus and plantar fasciitis, as well as right foot hammertoes. The decision is based on the Veteran's in-service symptoms that continued after separation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral foot disability, finding that it was not shown to be directly related to service or caused by his service-connected knee disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral plantar fascial fibromatosis is related to his service, specifically during periods of active duty, ACDUTRA, or INACDUTRA. The Veteran needs a VA examination to evaluate this condition and determine its etiology.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include left foot disability, left knee disability (secondary), and psychiatric disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a new VA opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's menstrual disorder. Service connection is granted for right foot disability and left foot disability.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum rating available under VA regulations.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 30 percent, which is also the maximum rating available under VA regulations.,Service connection for pain in the left foot with swelling, numbness, tingling toes, and frost bite is denied.,Service connection for pain in the right hand with numbness and tingling is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including other trauma and stressor related disorder, lumbar intervertebral disc syndrome, degenerative disc disease, degenerative arthritis, lumbosacral strain, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, tinnitus, bilateral pes planus, bilateral hearing loss, dermatitis of the neck, and erectile dysfunction, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since September 17, 2016. The Veteran's combined service-connected rating was 80 percent at that time. Basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35 is established as of September 17, 2016.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for flat feet, low back disability, and right knee disability due to new evidence received. The claims are being reviewed based on continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for service connection for depression, left foot disability, and bilateral hand disability has been granted.,New evidence shows that the Veteran experienced pain in her hands which can constitute a disability. Her claim of service connection for bilateral hand disability is reopened.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for his lumbar spine and left foot disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's service-connected pes planus with plantar fasciitis did not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to September 26, 2008.

The Board has granted service connection for right foot pes planus and left foot pes planus. The claims of service connection for left shin splints, left ankle disability, and left shoulder disability are remanded.

The Board has found that the Veteran's right and left foot disabilities were not incurred or aggravated in service, as there is no evidence of such during her period of active duty. The hearing loss claim was remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Veteran's travel expenses to El Paso, Texas for mental health treatment were denied as he did not meet the income level requirements and there was no VA authorization of beneficiary travel payment prior to his treatment. The Board found that reimbursement was not warranted due to lack of prior authorization.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral pes planus, finding that the condition was not incurred in or related to active duty service and is not secondary to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development, specifically a lack of an adequate examination addressing both direct and secondary service connection for any current foot disability diagnoses the Veteran had during the period on appeal. The Regional Office must obtain an addendum opinion explaining whether the Veteran's service-connected big toe disability has caused 'any increase in severity' to his bilateral pes planus, hallux vagus, or foot pain that is proximately due to or the result of a service-connected disease or injury.