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

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's bilateral foot condition, including whether it is related to service or secondary to his service-connected pes planus. The AOJ must obtain a clarifying medical opinion on all diagnosed foot disabilities and their likely etiology.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for dental disability, hepatitis B and/or C, and bilateral foot condition due to inadequate efforts in arranging examinations while he was incarcerated. The Veteran is required to undergo further medical evaluations.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development, including determining if the Veteran's right ankle disorder is related to her service-connected right calcaneal stress fracture.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral pes planus and bilateral hearing loss due to potential issues with the opinions provided in the July 2016 VA examinations.

The Veteran's service connection claims for right and left foot plantar fasciitis, right and left foot pes planus, residuals of a left 4th toe fracture, and asthma are all granted. The Board found that the current diagnoses were related to in-service symptoms and findings.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for bilateral plantar fasciitis with arthritis and pes cavus due to inadequate reasons or bases in previous determinations, as well as failure to differentiate symptoms caused by each service-connected condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral foot disability, finding that there is not sufficient evidence to establish that her current disabilities began during or are otherwise related to her military service.

The Board has granted service connection for right foot tendonitis, right foot pes planus, right foot crush injury, and right foot plantar fasciitis, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not incurred in or caused by the Veteran's reported in-service incident of a 100-pound projectile falling on his right foot.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and initial rating of PTSD, as well as the issues related to right knee and foot disabilities due to incomplete development.

The Board has determined that additional development is required for the Veteran's claims, including exposure to toxic chemicals at Fort McClellan and a VA-contracted examination for his heart disability. The issues of service connection are remanded.

Service connection for a low back disability, to include spinal stenosis is granted. An increased rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD and an increased rating in excess of 30 percent for bilateral pes planus with hallux valgus and degenerative arthritis are denied. The Veteran's GERD is rated at 60 percent.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need to obtain Social Security Administration (SSA) records.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to make a fully informed decision on the Veteran's claims for service connection and an initial compensable disability rating for inguinal hernia, as well as his other disabilities. The Veteran will be provided with another VA examination and asked to submit any additional evidence he may have.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for further examination and review of his claims file, including obtaining complete copies of all relevant private treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral pes planus and pseudofolliculitis barbae due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and thus denied his claim for TDIU.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient development and need for additional opinions regarding the Veteran's bilateral flat feet/pes planus.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hammertoes, hallux valgus, and intractable plantar keratosis due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's left foot disabilities, including service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD. The appeal is also remanded for additional development regarding initial ratings and scars associated with his metatarsalgia.