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

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral foot disability, including pes planus and as secondary to his service-connected sarcoidosis. The Board found that the pes planus was noted on entrance examination and did not increase in severity during service.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis, left foot neuroma, and right third metatarsal stress fracture are rated at 50 percent. The appeals for higher ratings on these conditions have been denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to new medical evidence and updated VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right foot conditions due to insufficient medical evidence on file. The Veteran is presumed to have incurred his current foot disabilities during service, but a new opinion is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his in-service injuries.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding service connection for pes planus due to a potential pre-existing condition. The Veteran's claim for plantar fasciitis and calcaneal spurs of each foot remains denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including panic disorder with agoraphobia and major depressive disorder, GERD, bilateral plantar fasciitis, diabetes mellitus, type II, patellofemoral syndrome with degenerative changes in the right knee, residuals of left ankle injury, residuals of right ankle injury, post-operative chronic subacromial impingement with degenerative changes (right rotator cuff tear/impediment), tinnitus, and others, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to July 28, 2016. From July 28, 2016, the claim is dismissed as moot due to his combined disability rating of 100 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome was denied. The reduction in his rating for bilateral palmar and plantar keratoderma from 60% to 30% effective June 13, 2017, was restored.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment, and the Board finds that he is not entitled to a TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of January 17, 2020.

The Board has granted the Veteran's requests to reopen his claims for service connection for sleep apnea and back problems. The remaining issues have been remanded due to lack of complete STRs, need for updated VA treatment records, and need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's service connection claims for cervical spine disability, left upper extremity disability (left hand), and right upper extremity disability (right wrist fracture residuals) have been denied. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence is against finding these disabilities began during active service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

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

The Board dismissed the claims of service connection for a right great toe disability and bilateral plantar calcaneal spurs due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD, a heart condition, foot conditions (pes planus, plantar fasciitis, neuropathy), and peripheral neuropathy. The Board also found that the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his active duty service, including due to tinnitus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral knee disability, bilateral foot disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder. The Board found no evidence to support these claims based on the lack of current diagnoses or a link between the conditions and service.

The Board has found that the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disability and bilateral pes planus need further examination to determine if they are related to service or have been aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left foot disability, originally claimed as broken bone right foot (stress fracture), is being remanded due to incomplete records and the need to obtain additional information from VA and private sources.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for bilateral pes planus due to inadequate reasons and bases, as well as issues related to VA's duty to assist and compliance with Correia and Sharp.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for left foot, right foot, and low back disabilities have been dismissed. The appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and hypertension has been remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral pes planus, low back disability, hypertension secondary to PTSD, GERD secondary to PTSD and duodenal ulcer, and obstructive sleep apnea secondary to PTSD and duodenal ulcer due to insufficient opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.