Foot (incl. plantar fasciitis, flat feet) decisions — 2010

The Veteran's bilateral foot disability, other than residuals of a fracture of the left 5th metatarsal, is being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding its etiology.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral foot conditions, including degenerative joint disease, neuropathy, chronic onychomycosis and flat feet, are likely due to his service in Germany. The Board grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for residuals of bilateral plantar warts, folliculitis, and seborrhoeic dermatitis were denied. The claim for sinusitis with frontal headaches was granted. Claims for cervical spine disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and otitis media are pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have bilateral hearing loss recognized as a disability for VA purposes and denied his claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis is also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis and pes planus, right foot hallux valgus, and lumbar strain are not rated higher than the current 10 percent levels.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral ankle disability and bilateral pes planus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to injuries sustained during basic training. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to lack of an examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including VA examinations to determine if service connection can be established for low back disorder, left and right knee disabilities, and bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected bilateral pes planus, and for further development as needed.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis, posterior tibial tendonitis, and tarsal tunnel syndrome has been manifested by pronounced symptoms. The maximum schedular rating of 50 percent is the highest allowable for this disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral foot condition, including plantar warts is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and records review.

The Veteran's claims for various disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and its complications, are denied as there is no evidence of in-service disease or injury that would support service connection. The Veteran did not serve in Vietnam and the evidence does not show exposure to herbicides during service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a new examination to assess the Veteran's service-connected right foot disability and to differentiate between symptoms attributable to his service-connected condition and those from nonservice-connected conditions. The issues of increased ratings for residuals of a navicular fracture of the right foot, crush injury to the left index, middle, and ring fingers with distal digital nerve injuries and traumatic arthritis at DIP joint, and fifth metacarpal fracture are also remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis. The case will be reviewed by the RO based on the additional evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for depression and PTSD, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen her previously denied claim.

The Veteran's service-connected plantar fasciitis of the right and left feet, as well as bilateral pes planus, are not shown to warrant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent. The Veteran's CAD is also not shown to warrant a compensable evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus, erectile dysfunction secondary to medication for major depressive disorder, and hypertension. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's osteoarthritis of the bilateral hips has been rated as 10 percent disabling since his retirement from active service. The Board finds that this rating is proper and concludes that an increased rating for this condition is not warranted.

The Veteran's hypertension and bilateral chronic foot pain with plantar fasciitis have not been found to warrant a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an increased evaluation of bilateral pes planus and TDIU, finding that the schedular criteria were not met and that other factors did not support a grant of TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected bilateral pes planus with triple arthrodesis, left foot, recurrent and any associated surgical scarring.