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

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional information and medical opinions regarding his claimed conditions, particularly asthma, headaches, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The VA will also verify the alleged in-service stressors.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for plantar fasciitis of the left and right feet, as well as hammer toe deformity of both feet, were denied.,A separate 10 percent rating was granted for hammer toe deformity affecting all toes of each foot effective January 22, 2018.

The Board has remanded the cases for issuance of a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC) due to new evidence received after the August 2016 SSOC. The issues include increased ratings for left and right foot disabilities, as well as TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for annual clothing allowances were denied as there was no evidence that any of his claimed appliances or medications caused wear and tear to his clothing in the 2012 calendar year.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is currently rated at 50 percent disabling, the maximum allowed by law. The Board found that the established schedular criteria adequately describe his symptoms and there was no evidence of marked interference with employment or frequent periods of hospitalization to warrant an extra-schedular rating.

The Veteran's service connection and increased rating issues are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations and medical opinions. The TDIU issue is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with these other issues.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's service connection claims, including obtaining SSA records and a VA medical opinion regarding her bilateral foot disability.

The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder is granted as service connected. The cervical spine, bilateral foot, tinnitus, and thoracolumbar strain issues are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus with metatarsalgia is granted a rating of 50 percent, but not higher.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding service connection for bilateral hearing loss, pes planus, and degenerative arthritis of the spine.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral foot disability, including right foot and left foot (pes planus and plantar fasciitis). The decision is based on the aggravation of pre-existing conditions during military service.

The Veteran's request for a DRO hearing in Baltimore, Maryland was not accommodated. The case is being remanded to schedule the desired hearing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral foot disability, including pes planus and callouses, is service-connected as it did not worsen beyond its natural progression during active duty.

The Board dismissed the appeals on all issues related to service connection due to the Veteran's death.

The Board denied the Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims of service connection for bilateral ankle disability, low back disability, right hip disability, and bilateral pes planus. The Board also found that there was no medical nexus between these disabilities and his service-connected knee disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for spondylosis C6-7 and herniated nucleus pulposus C6-7, finding that the preponderance of evidence is against a relationship to service. Service connection was granted for pes planus (flat feet).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left foot disability, right foot disability, and gout in bilateral lower extremities due to outstanding treatment records and a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for reopening of service connection for various conditions, finding no new and material evidence to support these claims.

The Board has determined that additional medical examinations are needed to determine the nature and etiology of any TBI residuals, bilateral foot disability, and lumbar spine sprain. The Veteran's claims for service connection on these issues are being remanded.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his service connection claim for hearing loss was granted. Service connection for tinnitus, a fracture of the right ring finger, and bursitis of the right foot is also granted with appropriate compensable ratings. The underlying claims for left foot disability are remanded.