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

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of an examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right foot disability. The Veteran is requested to provide information for additional evidence, undergo VA examination, and respond to any further requests from the RO.

The Veteran's right hip, gastrointestinal, bilateral foot, respiratory, and sinus disabilities are found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for psoriasis of the feet and plantar fasciitis, right foot are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to address the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral foot disability and increased rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and left ankle fracture with pes planus were denied as there was no evidence of ankylosis, malunion, or other severe impairment that would warrant a higher rating.

The Board has determined that further examination and medical opinion are needed to resolve the claims for service connection for a bilateral foot disability, bilateral knee disability, and low back disability. The Veteran's current conditions may be related to his military service.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's death, and no request for substitution was made.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is rated at 50 percent, effective March 2007. The left ring and small finger fractures are each rated at noncompensable (0 percent). The lumbar spine strain is rated at 10 percent, effective March 2007. Right foot plantar fasciitis is also rated at 10 percent, effective March 2007. Service connection for an anxiety disorder secondary to headaches was granted.

The Veteran's claims for residuals of a head injury and chest pain were denied as there is no evidence of current disability related to these conditions. The Veteran's headaches, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and hiatal hernia with esophagitis and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) have been established but not higher than 10%.,The Veteran does not have residuals from his in-service head injury or chest pain. His headaches are service-connected but do not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus, characterized by marked deformity including pronation of both feet and pain on manipulation and use accentuated, is now rated at 30 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's left foot plantar fasciitis did not have onset during service and is not etiologically related to his active service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

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

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including Sjogren's syndrome and multiple musculoskeletal conditions, have resulted in a combined rating of 90 percent. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of unemployability due to these service-connected disabilities.

The Board found no evidence of aggravation of bilateral pes planus during service and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection. The claims for increased evaluations for mechanical low back pain, bilateral hearing loss, and multiple scars were also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and rating consideration due to inadequate previous examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and arranging a VA examination to evaluate the Veteran's service-connected disabilities involving bilateral pes planus with hallux abductus and arthritis of the foot and ankle. The Veteran is also seeking increased ratings for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected plantar warts and tender plantar callosities of both feet are currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that these disabilities do not warrant a higher rating as they are characterized as moderately severe.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new examination and additional development of her claims, including obtaining recent treatment records.

The Board denied a schedular rating in excess of 30% for bilateral pes planus, and now considers whether an extraschedular rating is warranted. The Veteran's disability does not meet the criteria for an extraschedular evaluation.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for various conditions, including scleroderma of the back or 'dry skin', hypertension, arthritis of the joints, and a bilateral foot disorder. The issues involving PTSD reopening, diabetes mellitus effective dates, and anatomical loss of both feet were also denied.