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

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claims of service connection for right foot and skin disabilities, finding that new and material evidence has been received. The case is now remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus was granted with an initial rating of 30 percent, effective May 19, 2010. The claim for higher ratings for the right knee and back disabilities is addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), bilateral flat feet, and chronic low back strain are all found to be related to his military service. The claim for increased disability evaluation for the lumbar spine is granted.

The Veteran's left foot fracture residuals and arthritis are not service-connected.,There is no evidence of a current bilateral pes planus disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a right hip disability and flat feet, finding that there was no evidence to support permanent aggravation in service.

The Veteran's left foot disability, characterized by stress fracture with plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendonitis, is rated at a 10 percent level due to moderate limitation of motion. The claim for TDIU was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes cavus with chronic plantar fasciitis has been rated as 30 percent disabling since the date of her discharge from active service, effective June 30, 2003.

The Board has determined that the appellant's current pes planus was not aggravated by her military service and is therefore not entitled to service connection.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee, left knee, and bilateral foot disabilities are not related to his active duty service.,Therefore, he is not entitled to service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral pes planus and residuals of cold injury of the feet, finding no evidence to support a direct relationship between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is found to have been incurred during his military service. The initial evaluation for his voiding dysfunction has been granted, but the specific rating assigned remains pending as there are no notations of a preexisting condition in the service treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for defective hearing, residuals of hepatitis A, dyspepsia, and plantar fasciitis were all granted. The initial evaluation for the left foot condition was increased to 10 percent effective April 14, 2011.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling the Veteran with appropriate VA examinations to assess his service-connected migraines and mid sole and calcaneal plantar fasciitis with spurs.

The Board has granted a rating of 20 percent for the Veteran's right and left foot disabilities, which approximate moderately severe impairment.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to the need to obtain Social Security Administration (SSA) records and provide the Veteran with VA examinations.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is currently rated at 50 percent, but the Board found no evidence of symptoms warranting a higher rating. The Veteran was also denied a TDIU due to his non-service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's right lower extremity shin splints are service-connected, and he is granted an initial compensable disability rating of 10% for his left lower extremity shin splints. His bilateral pes planus remains at a noncompensable rating.

The Board has determined that the appellant's current right foot disability, specifically talonavicular degenerative joint disease, is related to her active service. The issue of bilateral plantar fasciitis remains pending and will be addressed in a separate remand.