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

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for recurrent right knee, left knee, and left foot disabilities due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus and left/right ankle ligamentous laxity have been granted service connection as secondary to her service-connected bilateral pes planus.,Service connection for gastroesophageal disability (GERD) and intestinal disability (IBS) has been remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus, but the issues of metatarsalgia, left foot neuroma, and mild osteoarthritic changes are still pending as they may be related to or aggravated by the service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities necessitate the need for regular aid and attendance of another person, thus entitling him to special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance. The issue of SMC based on being housebound is dismissed as moot due to the grant of SMC by reason of aid and attendance.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is remanded for a VA examination to determine if it is at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities. His eligibility for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person is also remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left foot arthritis is attributable to service and has granted service connection for this condition. However, the issues of pes planus and hallux rigidus and valgus require further development as they may be related to pre-existing conditions or aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral foot disability and any current low back disability requires additional development, including obtaining an examination to determine the etiology of these conditions. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for back and bilateral foot disabilities due to insufficient reasoning in previous decisions and the need for additional evidence.

The Board denied service connection for a right foot disability other than heel spurs, osteophytes, and Reiter's syndrome. The Veteran was diagnosed with plantar fasciitis and nonsurgical arthritis of the right foot, but the evidence did not support that these conditions were caused or aggravated by his military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and right foot disability, including flatfoot. The right foot disability is found to be aggravated by his service-connected knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for entitlement to service connection for a right ankle disability, right shoulder disability, and right foot disability due to additional development being necessary.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is granted as service-connected, while his gout and/or generalized arthritis, left leg disability, right leg/right ankle disability, skin disability of the feet, bilateral foot disability, carpal tunnel syndrome, acid reflux, hemorrhoids, poor circulation/venous insufficiency, and headache disability are denied. The Veteran's jock itch is also denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for osteosarcoma, but has remanded several other claims due to lack of evidence or need for further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prior to December 12, 2013 rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral foot disability, including his bunionectomy and pes planus, is adequately addressed by the current schedular rating criteria. The evidence does not demonstrate exceptional or unusual circumstances warranting an extraschedular evaluation.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for his left foot disability, finding that there is no evidence of painful, unstable, or malaligned conditions warranting a minimum compensable rating. The preponderance of the evidence does not support a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and foot conditions (including plantar fasciitis, pes planus, and right tibial tendinitis) are granted. The decision on the foot condition issues is pending further examination.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 20 percent effective February 25, 2013. A 10 percent rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis is granted. Other issues are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation of service-connected residual burns right anterior trunk has been granted. The claims for service connection for neck disability and bilateral foot disability have been remanded.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for gout, cervical spine/right arm disability, low back disability, and bilateral pes planus. The appeals are granted to this extent.