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

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a right knee disability, left knee disability, bilateral pes planus, back disability, and skin disability (eczema).,Further examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's initial rating appeals for left and right knee sprains, painful extension, and instability were denied. The Veteran's prostate disorder, kidney disorder, and foot disability claims are remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis, pes cavus, calcaneal spurs, and metatarsalgia with right metatarsophalangeal degenerative foot arthritis was not manifested by marked contraction of plantar fascia with dropped forefoot or pronounced flatfoot with marked pronation, severe spasm of the Achilles tendon on manipulation. As such, his disability is rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating prior to March 23, 2016, for plantar callus and bone spur of the left foot was denied. The Board found that during this period, the Veteran did not have symptoms of moderate severity.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee disabilities are remanded for further development.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the issues of entitlement to a compensable rating for bilateral pes planus prior to June 1, 2018, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter, entitlement to an initial compensable rating for right hammer toes, entitlement to an initial compensable rating for left hammer toes, and entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral pes planus and bilateral eye disability to obtain additional medical opinions. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are also being considered.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to incomplete records from a correctional facility where the Veteran was incarcerated during the appellate period.

The Board has remanded the claims for right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, left foot disability (plantar fasciitis), and right foot disability (plantar fasciitis) due to inadequate medical opinions in prior VA examinations. The Veteran's service connection claims are intertwined with his rating claim.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a left foot and left knee disability due to inadequate VA examination opinions. The Veteran's complaints of continuity of symptomatology, in-service treatment records, and parachute jumps were not considered.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development on the issues of service connection for generalized anxiety disorder and bilateral flat feet.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, bilateral foot disability, bilateral shoulder disability, and lumbar spine disability as there was no evidence of a nexus between the current disabilities and military service.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for right foot myofascial syndrome (also diagnosed as right foot pes planus) prior to November 25, 2019 is denied. The Veteran's left ankle disability secondary to the service-connected right foot disability and TDIU are remanded.,The decision on these issues will be deferred until a final determination can be made.

The Veteran's initial compensable ratings for left and right foot bunions were granted, while a disability rating of 30 percent was granted for bilateral pes planus prior to November 9, 2015. The appeal is not about service connection but rather the evaluation of existing disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for right and left foot disabilities, as well as the claims for payment or reimbursement for an automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only, and special monthly pension (SMP) based on the need for aid and attendance. The Veteran's testimony will be accepted for purposes of the medical nexus opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left foot condition, including plantar fasciitis, and Reiter's Syndrome due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran testified about his symptoms during and after service, and provided credible testimony regarding his current diagnoses. A VA examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left foot disability is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and an examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral foot disabilities and a skin disability due to unclear medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his inability to attend scheduled VA examinations. The issues include psychiatric disorders, migraine headaches, left ankle condition, bruxism, bilateral pes planus, and left foot bunion.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for bilateral pes planus, finding that the September 2013 decision was not based on additional STRs obtained after the November 1971 rating decision.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's lumbar spine, lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left foot disorders. The VA is requested to obtain expert opinions on these issues.