Foot (incl. plantar fasciitis, flat feet) — all decisions

The Board granted an August 14, 2009 effective date for the assignment of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(l).

The Board denied increased ratings for multiple service-connected conditions and denied service connection for several additional conditions, including tinnitus, chronic sinusitis, left sciatic radicular pain of the left leg, traumatic brain injury (TBI), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), chronic fatigue syndrome, and a back disorder.

The Board granted service connection for allergic rhinitis, bilateral foot disability, lumbar spine disability, irritable bowel syndrome, headaches, and obstructive sleep apnea. The effective date of March 2, 2022, was granted for the award of service connection for rhinitis, and a 70 percent rating was assigned for other specified trauma and stressor related disorder.

The Board granted service connection for a back condition, left foot pes planus, bilateral knee disability, and right hip disability based on the evidence supporting their occurrence during active duty.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher rating for his bilateral foot disability and service connection for a left shoulder condition, as well as remanded the claim for other specified trauma and stressor related disorder.

The Board granted service connection for chronic headaches and denied a higher rating for allergic rhinitis, while remanding the remaining claims.

The Board remanded the claims for further development, including a new VA examination for bilateral pes planus and obtaining outstanding treatment records for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). The claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for GAD was denied.

The Board granted service connection for migraines, hypertension, GERD, cervical strain, and left hip condition as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder, insomnia disorder, panic disorder, lumbosacral spine degenerative arthritis with degenerative disc disease and intervertebral disc syndrome.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral athletes' foot, onychomycosis and tinea nigra, a skin condition other than onychomycosis, bilateral hearing loss, bilateral plantar fasciitis, bilateral restless leg syndrome, breathing issues, left knee pain, lumbar spine disability, migraines, an acquired psychiatric disorder claimed as PTSD with anxiety and insomnia (also claimed as sleep disturbances), and tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal of the claims for service connection for functional dysphagia and plantar fasciitis were dismissed due to lack of response within 60 days of the Board's request for clarification.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for bilateral flat feet to obtain a medical opinion on whether the condition increased in severity during service and if so, whether the increase was due to natural progression.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability, obstructive sleep apnea (sleep apnea), and an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for service-connected bilateral pes planus with bilateral plantar fasciitis. The Veteran's TDIU claim was also denied.

The appeal was dismissed due to the untimeliness of the January 16, 2025 VA Form 10182 regarding claims for service connection for a back disability, left knee disability, and right foot disability.

The Board remands the claim for a right foot disability, to include plantar fasciitis and neuropathy, as there is no adequate VA medical opinion regarding these conditions.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the claim for a condition of the feet, to include bilateral plantar fasciitis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right foot disability, to include plantar fasciitis, as there was no evidence of an in-service injury or event related to the current condition.

The Board granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD and an initial 10 percent rating for a headache disability, while denying ratings in excess of 40 percent for a low back disability and any compensable rating for allergic rhinitis. Service connection was granted for tinnitus and bilateral foot disabilities but denied for other conditions.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the claim for a bilateral foot disability other than pes planus due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Board granted a 70 percent initial disability rating for depressive disorder with anxiety and service connection for insomnia, while denying service connection for OSA and plantar fascitis.

The Board granted service connection for right foot plantar fasciitis, finding that the Veteran's condition was incurred in or caused by his active service.