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

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for clarification of the severity of the Veteran's hallux valgus and whether he is entitled to separate ratings for arthritis/degenerative joint disease and pes planus in relation to his service-connected hallux valgus.

The Veteran's arthritis of the left knee, sleep apnea, and left and right foot conditions are all found to be related to his active service.,A separate rating for instability of the right knee is granted prior to October 26, 2017.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder, bilateral knee disorders (left and right), left ankle disorder, bilateral plantar fasciitis, iritis, and tinnitus are related to service.,Service connection is granted for a low back disorder, bilateral knee disorders (left and right), left ankle disorder, bilateral plantar fasciitis, iritis, and tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for gastrointestinal disabilities, prostate disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, heart condition, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, osteopenia, cervical spine disability, neurological impairment of the upper extremities, shoulder, hip, knee, ankle, and foot disabilities are being remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer is being remanded as his prostatitis may be related to his current prostate disability. Additional development is needed regarding whether he has any residual disability from the prostatitis shown in service.,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,The Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbosacral strain, chronic gastritis with GERD, and hemorrhoids are being remanded as his most recent examinations in August 2017 were inadequate. Additional development is needed to determine the current functional impairment resulting from these disabilities.,

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD, hypertension, and bilateral pes planus has been remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development regarding the appellant's periods of service and duties during such periods, which are necessary for a proper adjudication of his claim for service connection for pes planus and plantar fasciitis.

The Veteran's death was not due to his own willful misconduct, but he did not meet the criteria for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) as his service-connected disability had not been rated as totally disabling for at least ten years immediately preceding his death.

The Veteran's claim for depression has been reopened and granted.,Claims for bilateral hand condition, lower back condition, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, anxiety, major depressive disorder, dissociative disorder) have been remanded due to new evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for further evidentiary development, including obtaining a new examination and addendum opinion.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to issues regarding his bilateral foot disability and left calcaneal spur. The Board finds that a rating in excess of 30 percent for the bilateral foot disability, characterized as pes planus, does not meet the criteria. A compensable rating for the left calcaneal spur also does not meet the criteria.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of a left foot disability.

The Veteran's hypertension has been granted an initial rating of 10 percent, effective from the date of claim. The Veteran's bilateral pes planus remains at a 30 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development and examination to determine if his hip, knee, and foot disabilities are related to service or secondary to a service-connected condition.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral pes planus and a lumbar spine disorder, finding that the Veteran's conditions preexisted service and were not aggravated by active duty. The Board also found no in-service incurrence of a lumbar spine disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to June 13, 2016, for the grant of a 20 percent rating for a left foot disability and service connection for bilateral hearing loss and low back disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and interstitial lung disease, have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance. The Board has granted a higher level of special monthly compensation based on this need.

The Board denied service connection for right ankle/foot disability, lumbar degenerative joint disease, and related issues due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.,Service connection was also denied for left lower extremity neuropathy with obturator nerve involvement as there is no direct evidence or link between the condition and service.

The Board dismissed the appeal of the claim for bilateral plantar fasciitis due to the Veteran's withdrawal during a hearing.,Service connection is granted for chronic fatigue syndrome, with consideration given to the Veteran's lay statements and service records indicating symptoms during service. The disability meets the criteria under 38 C.F.R. § 3.317(a)(2)(b).,Service connection is granted for obstructive sleep apnea based on the Veteran's personal testimony and statements from fellow servicemembers.,Service connection is granted for alopecia areata, with consideration given to the lack of clinical evidence at the time of examination.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings for tinnitus, back disability, bilateral pes planus, allergic rhinitis, migraines, right knee patellofemoral syndrome, left knee patellofemoral syndrome, and degenerative changes of the right shoulder.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities was denied because his income exceeded the poverty threshold and he could still perform substantially gainful employment.