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

The Veteran's muscle injury and acquired pes cavus due to shrapnel injury are granted with specific ratings.

The Board has determined that there are missing, pertinent records that must be obtained prior to making an informed decision regarding the service connection claims. These records include VA outpatient records from December 2001 to 2015 and any private treatment records related to the Veteran's claimed disabilities, particularly those from Mercy Hospital in the early 2000s.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeal due to a lack of response from the Veteran regarding his claims for increased ratings. The case is being returned to the RO for further attempts to contact the Veteran and reschedule examinations.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for pes planus, skin disease of the right foot, and skin disease of the left foot have been reopened. The Board found that new evidence submitted since the last final denial does not establish a current disability or its incurrence in service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is denied as it did not manifest during service or within one year of separation and there is no evidence linking the condition to his military service.,The Veteran's bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the feet is denied as it did not manifest during service or within one year of separation and there is no evidence linking the condition to his military service.,The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is denied as it was first diagnosed after service, and there is no evidence that it began in service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete records and the need for further evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for clothing allowances for braces used for his service-connected left knee, right knee, and back disabilities in calendar year 2015 due to lack of documentation showing use of these braces during that period.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral pes planus and right ankle disability have been denied. The Veteran was granted service connection for these conditions in January 2017 with an effective date of July 31, 2013, which is the earliest possible date based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's claim for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant is remanded due to the need for an opinion on whether he meets the criteria under 38 C.F.R. § 3.809(b)(4) of having loss of use of one lower extremity, together with injury which precludes locomotion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,Service connection granted for migraines, with the presumption that they began during service and have continued since then.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including bilateral shoulder, knee, ankle, pes planus, eye, stomach, anxiety, and PTSD. The appeals are denied as there is no evidence of current or in-service disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of his knee and foot disabilities. The case will be reviewed with a new VA examiner.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral flat feet and for an earlier effective date for a lower extremity nerve condition due to missing documents from the Veteran's file. The case will be returned to the Board after these issues are addressed.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding increased evaluations for left and right ankle strains, as well as right foot plantar fasciitis.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities were denied increased ratings, with the exception of a remanded issue regarding lumbar strain.,Bilateral pes planus was also denied an increased rating.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and an examination to address the Veteran's claims of service connection. The GERD claim is denied, while the pes planus and left knee disability claims are dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal for restoration of a 40 percent rating for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease is granted, effective August 1, 2014. The appeals for service connection for bilateral flat feet, an acquired psychological disorder other than PTSD, and a rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbar spine DDD are remanded.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis and bronchitis.

The Veteran's service connection claim for plantar fasciitis is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for service connection for right and left hip disabilities, as well as her degenerative arthritis of the right hand, was granted. A rating in excess of 20 percent for low back strain is denied. The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is rated at a 30 percent since April 2, 2016.