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

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability and special monthly compensation at the housebound rate, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was initially rated at 30 percent prior to August 3, 2012. From that date onward, the Veteran is now rated at 50 percent for his disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various knee, foot, and arm disabilities due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The Veteran's lay statements about in-service injuries are considered, but the lack of documentation in service records is noted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a right foot disability, finding no current disability of hearing loss for VA compensation purposes and that the right foot pain is not related to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his right ankle disability is denied. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence does not support a rating in excess of 10 percent. For service connection, the case is remanded as there are issues regarding bilateral foot conditions and their relationship to service.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis is rated at 30 percent prior to May 20, 2021 and 50 percent thereafter. The claim for a higher rating remains pending.,Service connection for sleep apnea is remanded as the VA examiner did not adequately address the Veteran's contention that his service-connected type 2 diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy may have caused or aggravated his sleep apnea.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's liver disability, bilateral foot disability, and neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities are not service-connected as they did not manifest during active duty or are not related to any in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 60 percent for his left knee injury, post/operative knee replacement is dismissed. Service connection claims for bilateral foot disorder, low back disorder, and right knee disorder are denied as the evidence does not support direct service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors in prior decisions.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and granted service connection for tinnitus. The remaining issues have been remanded.,Service connection is being remanded for left hip degenerative joint disease, right hip degenerative joint disease, degenerative arthritis of the spine, and bilateral feet (including degenerative arthritis and plantar fasciitis).

The Veteran's left foot metatarsalgia is granted service connection, but his other claimed conditions (bilateral pes planus and degenerative arthritis) are denied as not related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected right foot condition, including arthritis, mid-foot fusion, hammertoe with fusion, pes planus, and calcaneal spur, is granted. Additionally, the surgical scar of the right foot is also granted.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral pes planus is being remanded due to a duty to assist error. A new VA examination is required to assess the current severity of his disability.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining VA examinations and considering his symptoms since last evaluated in March 2015.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for compensable ratings for his right foot disability, allergic rhinitis, and a left 5th finger disability, as well as the service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's service connection claims for chronic right shoulder pain, depression, and bilateral pes planus were denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or that any in-service injury caused such disabilities.,Service connection was not granted for chronic alcoholism due to lack of service-connected psychiatric condition.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of September 27, 2007 for TDIU and DEA benefits due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the issues of increased ratings for bilateral pes planus and entitlement to TDIU due to service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left heel bone spurs and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine were denied. The claim for a higher evaluation for the lumbar spine disability was granted with limitations, but the issue remains pending. The case is remanded for further development regarding the left foot disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient etiology opinions regarding the Veteran's bilateral foot disability, including pes planus and calcaneal spurs. The examiner is instructed to address whether the disabilities existed prior to service, were aggravated by service, or are otherwise related to service.