Foot (incl. plantar fasciitis, flat feet) decisions — 2011

The Board found that the Veteran's current flat feet disability is not service-connected as it did not manifest during service and there was no evidence of aggravation by a service-connected condition. The Board concluded that the Veteran's pes planus, while congenital in nature, does not qualify for secondary service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was withdrawn. The Board found that the Veteran's residuals of TBI, including memory loss, migraine headaches and irritability, were incurred in active service.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disabilities are rated at 10 percent each, and his right and left knee disabilities remain at 10 percent. The TDIU claim is denied.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disability has been granted service connection and assigned a 10 percent rating since December 16, 2003. The current manifestations of the condition include pain, tenderness, swelling on manipulation, normal alignment, neurological and skin examination, reflexes, mild osteoarthritis of the toe joints, minimal hallux valgus and hallux rigidus, bilaterally.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus has been rated at 10 percent since the effective date of service connection, and is currently no worse than moderate in severity.

The Board has found the evidence sufficient to establish that the Veteran's preexisting bilateral foot disability increased in severity during service, and thus grants service connection for a bilateral foot disability on the basis of aggravation.

The Veteran's gout of the bilateral great and fifth toes with plantar fasciitis is rated at 20 percent, but not higher. The Veteran's sleep apnea has been rated as 30 percent since June 4, 2009.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches and is remanding the remaining issues of residuals of neck and back injuries, bilateral flat feet, and left foot bunion.

The Veteran's pes planus is found to be aggravated by his service-connected left ankle disability, and the claim for this condition is granted.,Service connection is granted for a right shoulder condition as it is related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects the severity of his disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of her service-connected left foot disability and issuance of a Statement of the Case regarding the issue of tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to address the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a bilateral foot disorder, which was diagnosed as plantar fasciitis. The Board finds that another remand is required to determine the etiology of her current bilateral foot disorder and whether it is related to her military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus pre-existed his military service and was not aggravated by any incident of his active service. The other disorders of the bilateral feet were also not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA examination reports and SSA records. The appeal is pending.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to an increased rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional VA medical records and address a separate evaluation for Morton's disease.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of bilateral foot and ankle disabilities, as well as diabetes mellitus secondary to these conditions, are being remanded due to the need for additional development including VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for pes planus and a right ankle disability, finding that new and material evidence was submitted to reopen these claims. The Veteran's right ankle disability is found to be related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hallux valgus, finding no evidence of aggravation or causation during service and insufficient medical evidence linking current foot disorders to service.

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for a low back disability and granted it, finding that new evidence supports the claim.,Service connection was also established for a bilateral foot disability.