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

The Veteran's lumbar spine strain with degenerative disk disease is now rated at a 60% rating since December 10, 2016. He also has service connection for neck disability, right foot disability, and left foot disability.

The Veteran's combination of service-connected disabilities required care and assistance on a regular basis to dress herself, prepare meals, keep herself clean and presentable, attend to the wants of nature, and protect her from the hazards or dangers inherent in her daily environment. As such, she is granted special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been productive of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50% disability rating. The GERD with IBS has not met the criteria for a higher than 10% rating. The retained shrapnel in the left hand does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. The right foot plantar fasciitis with heel spur and fractured fourth toe is rated as noncompensable.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including whether they are related to her service. The case is being remanded for further action.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral pes planus and calcaneal spurs of the feet as secondary to bilateral knee replacements. The issue of service connection for OSA, secondary to PTSD, is remanded due to inadequate medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the cases due to the need to obtain private treatment records from Dr. Desai, which are relevant to the Veteran's claims for service connection for psychiatric disorder, insomnia, erectile dysfunction, and right eye condition.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has decided to remand the case for a new examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left foot disability is at least as likely as not related to his service, and thus grants entitlement to service connection for a left foot disability.

The Veteran's hearing loss is remanded for a VA examination to determine if it was aggravated by service and whether any increase in severity was due to its natural progression.,The Veteran's bilateral foot disability is remanded for a VA examination to determine if it was aggravated by service and whether any increase in severity was due to its natural progression. Additional steps are needed to verify the inservice injury that led to his current condition.,The Veteran's low back disability is remanded for a VA examination to determine if it began during service, manifested within one year after discharge, or is related to service. Further steps are needed to obtain in-service treatment records and verify stressors.,The Veteran's bilateral knee disability is remanded for a VA examination to determine if it began during service, manifested within one year after discharge, or is related to service. Further steps are needed to obtain in-service treatment records and verify the inservice injury.,The Veteran's asthma is remanded for a VA examination to determine if it was diagnosed while in service and whether any increase in severity is due to his service-connected ankle disabilities.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and depression) is remanded for a VA examination to determine if it began during service, manifested within one year after discharge, or is related to service. Further steps are needed to verify stressors.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a cervical spine disability as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine and/or bilateral foot disabilities due to inadequate opinions provided by the VA examiner. The case will be returned for further evaluation.

The Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the left shoulder with tendinosis of the rotator cuff is currently rated at 20 percent, but does not meet criteria for a higher rating due to functional impairment.,The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis with achilles tendonitis was initially rated at 30 percent and later increased to 50 percent. The current ratings are denied as the evidence does not support an increase in disability beyond these levels.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and granted service connection for a bilateral foot disability (to include pes planus). The denial was based on the lack of a current diagnosis of PTSD that meets DSM-5 criteria. Service connection for the bilateral foot disability was granted as it is considered directly related to active duty service.

The Veteran's initial and subsequent increased ratings for her left foot disability have been denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates related to his cervical spine disability are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.,The Veteran's claims for service connection of low back, bilateral knee, and bilateral foot disabilities are also being remanded as VA examinations were inadequate.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral foot, right ankle, and left leg disabilities due to incomplete development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including left shoulder condition, low back condition, bilateral knee conditions, bilateral plantar fasciitis, sinusitis, cervical spine degenerative joint disease, erectile dysfunction, right ankle condition, and sleep apnea and associated sleeping disorder. The appeals are not about service connection at all.

The Board has granted effective dates of September 1, 1992 for service connection of back disability and right foot disability. The claims for increased ratings are remanded due to the need for additional evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including an addendum VA medical opinion to determine if any diagnosed right foot disability is caused by or otherwise etiologically related to his active service.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus and left knee degenerative arthritis have been granted service connection. The initial rating for the left knee has also been granted at a 20% level.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, service connection for dizziness, and service connection for a right elbow condition due to inextricably intertwined issues. The claims for residuals of a left foot fracture and bilateral plantar fasciitis remain denied.