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

The Board has remanded the cases of pseudofolliculitis barbae and bilateral flatfoot/pes planus for further development due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's tinnitus is not service-connected as it did not begin during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.,The Veteran’s bilateral pes planus does not warrant a compensable rating as her symptoms are relieved by orthotic inserts.

The Veteran's right thumb disability, sinusitis, flat feet (pes planus), bunions of the feet, and arthritis of the feet have all been denied.,There is no evidence to support service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of discussion on whether the Veteran's bilateral foot disorder is a congenital defect or disease. The matter will be further examined and reviewed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities, including headaches, low back disability, knee and shin disabilities, stomach/digestive issues, radiculopathy, and a psychiatric condition are remanded due to insufficient medical evidence on file. The Veteran is presumed sound upon entry into service.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his lumbosacral strain and facet degenerative joint disease was denied, with the exception of a temporary grant of a 10 percent disability rating from April 11, 2016 to October 17, 2018. The Veteran's bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis were granted a 10 percent initial disability rating.,The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and facet degenerative joint disease was denied for ratings in excess of the currently assigned 40 percent prior to October 17, 2018. The Veteran's bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis were granted a 10 percent initial disability rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left shoulder disability and bilateral plantar fasciitis due to inadequate VA examination reports, failure to explain application of rating codes, and need for additional evidence. The Veteran is scheduled for a new VA examination to assess her current level of severity and determine any separate and distinct foot disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine if the Veteran has a current low back disability, right knee or lower extremity disability, left knee or lower extremity disability, and bilateral foot pes planus. The Veteran's service records do not provide sufficient information for these determinations.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on multiple disabilities remains pending and requires further development. The Board has ordered additional examinations to address the etiology of his claimed conditions, as well as to determine if there are any new or material issues that need to be addressed.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral degenerative arthritis of the feet and granted service connection for bilateral pes planus. The Board found that arthritis was not incurred in or caused by service, but that pes planus began during service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a right foot disability and granted it, finding that new evidence received since the last final denial raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral ankle disability, left plantar fasciitis, and pes planus as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability. The remand requires additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance of another person is remanded due to inconsistencies in his claims file, including VA medical records and examination reports that do not fully support his assertion.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus. The issue of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for chronic dermatitis and a 10 percent evaluation for multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a bilateral foot disability, finding that there was no increase in disability during service and thus not warranting service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board denied compensation under 38 U.S.C. § § 1151 for a left foot disability, but granted extraschedular ratings of 10 percent for hammer toes on both the left and right feet.

The Board has remanded the claims for recurrent headaches and left ankle strain due to insufficient examination findings.,Service connection is denied for bilateral foot disability, chronic ear infections, and recurrent headaches.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation of 30 percent for bilateral pes planus from June 14, 2012 to July 17, 2018 is granted. The claim for an increased rating exceeding 10 percent for bilateral pes planus from July 18, 2018 is denied.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disorder and the issue of entitlement to an effective date prior to June 14, 2012 for a grant of service connection for bilateral pes planus are both REMANDED.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on four specific conditions (left inguinal hernia, left shoulder disability, right foot disability, and back disability) have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal. The Board has also remanded two additional issues: service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus.