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

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before a decision on the merits may be made regarding the issues of entitlement to higher ratings for bilateral pes planus, hallux valgus, bronchial asthma, bilateral hip disability, tonsillectomy and residuals of fractured middle finger. The Veteran was last provided VA examinations relating to these issues in April 2016, nearly five years ago. As a result, the Board has remanded the case for additional development.

The Board has remanded the cases due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remands and insufficient medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for left foot disability and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities has been dismissed due to their death.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding private treatment records from 1971 to 2016 that have not been obtained. The Veteran must provide these records or VA will make a follow-up request.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to concerns about the competency of a VA examiner who provided an opinion on the left foot disability. The Veteran and his representative need information about this examiner's qualifications, and a new medical opinion is required.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's preexisting bilateral pes planus was aggravated by military service, but there is insufficient evidence to determine if it was permanently aggravated. The case is being remanded for further development and consideration.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty-to-assist error in the initial rating decision for bilateral pes planus. The Veteran needs to be examined by a podiatrist to determine the full extent of his disability and whether it meets the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is granted service connection.,An effective date of May 3, 2011 for bilateral pes planus is granted.

The Board dismissed the appeal of service connection for bilateral pes planus. Service connection was granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's foot disability is granted, and the appeals for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1151, and DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 are withdrawn.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and the identification of outstanding private treatment records.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his withdrawal of these issues. The petition to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral flat feet is granted, and the issue of TDIU is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for bilateral plantar fasciitis with bilateral pes planus and degenerative changes to the metatarsals bilaterally was denied. The highest available schedular rating of 50 percent has been assigned since September 22, 2020.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left knee patellofemoral syndrome due to inadequate examination results. The Veteran's pes planus was noted at entry into service and did not worsen during active duty, thus denying service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis was rated at 30 percent prior to November 10, 2014. The Board found that the symptoms were not relieved by orthopedic shoes or appliances and thus did not warrant a higher rating.

The Board dismissed the appeal seeking service connection for bilateral flat feet as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened due to the receipt of new and material evidence. The appeals are granted in part, with some issues remaining pending further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right foot disorder prior to January 17, 2016 is dismissed. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for left and right ankle disorders.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and effective dates were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings or earlier effective dates.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA addendum opinion to determine if the Veteran's left foot plantar fasciitis was incurred in or caused by service, specifically considering his routine physical activities during active and Reserve duty.