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

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to clarify the Veteran's periods of active service and to obtain any outstanding military personnel records. The Veteran also needs VA examinations for his claimed disabilities, including neck disability, left foot disability, right foot disability, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, left wrist disability, right wrist disability, bilateral hearing loss disability, chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), and acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including a low back disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, bilateral pes planus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD). The VA treatment records from April 2013 to the present must be obtained. A VA examination will also be conducted to determine the etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss and left foot disability was granted. The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the General Rating Formula. The issue of unemployability due to service-connected disabilities has been remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of laceration right foot, intestinal metaplasia and gastritis, lumbar spinal stenosis, and plantar wart have been granted. The issue of service connection for plantar wart is remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that the effective dates for increased disability ratings of atopic dermatitis, lumbar strain with scoliosis, and bilateral plantar fasciitis should be August 27, 2014.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions. The issues include bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, shin splints, shoulder disorders, frostbite, psychiatric conditions, traumatic brain injury, headaches, wrist, hip, ankle, knee, elbow, little finger, plantar fasciitis, joint pain, back pain, neck pain, erectile dysfunction, sleep apnea, skin disorder, and eye problems.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left foot disability, including pes planus, plantar fasciitis, rear foot valgus, and sinus tarsi syndrome, is at least as likely as not due to his active service. As a result, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral foot disability, including bilateral plantar fasciitis and heel spurs due to insufficient competent medical evidence on file.

The Board has allowed the Veteran's claim to be reopened due to new evidence submitted since the last final denial. The case is now remanded for further development and an examination.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, a liver disorder, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including as secondary to the service-connected knee disabilities), and pes planus. The decision found that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all the claims currently before the Board, including increased ratings for various conditions and a compensable rating for early giant papillary conjunctivitis.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral ankle disability, bilateral pes planus, and bilateral plantar fasciitis with hallux rigidus as the evidence did not show that these conditions were related to military service.

The Board denied the claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, pes planus, paranoid schizophrenia, residuals of a back injury, and frostbite. The claim for diabetes mellitus was reopened but not granted as there is no evidence linking it to service.

The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of unauthorized medical treatment is remanded due to the need for additional VA records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete service records and a need for a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging for examinations to address the Veteran's claims.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral shoulder, hip, foot, ankle, and knee disabilities as well as right ear hearing loss due to lack of current diagnoses and insufficient evidence linking these conditions to service or service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right foot numbness is related to his service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a back disability and a higher rating for bilateral foot disability due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis is granted a 10 percent rating from October 19, 2011 to April 2, 2014. The Board has determined that the evidence does not support a higher rating for this period. For his right and left knee disabilities, the Veteran's claim is remanded as there may be a material worsening of these conditions.