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

The Veteran's plantar warts and genital warts have been evaluated as noncompensable under the applicable rating criteria.,The Veteran's seasonal allergies with recurrent sinusitis are rated as noncompensable under Diagnostic Code 6522.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of his service-connected disabilities, including bilateral pes planus, status-post stress fracture, left foot (including claims for left ankle inversion and sprain), and mechanical low back pain with degenerative changes at L5-S1.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have current perforated eardrum, hearing loss, pes planus, or respiratory disorder. The VA examination did not provide a clear opinion on whether any of these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability is rated at 20 percent, effective September 8, 2004. The rating reflects the predominant range of motion of the thoracolumbar spine on forward flexion being greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis were not incurred in or aggravated by active military service. The VA examiner opined that it was less likely than not that the Veteran's foot disorders are related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining vocational rehabilitation records and scheduling an examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's large posterior plantar calcaneal spur of the left heel does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA disability evaluation criteria.

The Board found that the Veteran's depression is not related to his military service or his service-connected disabilities. The right foot disability was remanded for further examination and opinion regarding its relationship to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various service-connected disabilities were denied. The evidence did not support a higher rating based on the current manifestations of his conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral pes planus is denied as there is no evidence of a pre-existing condition that increased in severity during service. The Veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease of both knees has been rated appropriately, with separate ratings assigned for each knee effective February 27, 2010.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for various conditions, including hypertension and a back disability, was denied. The Veteran is not entitled to an increased rating for his hypertension.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including new examinations and opinions regarding his bilateral heel disorder, flat feet, and skin disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for issuance of a Statement of the Case on his claim for an increased rating for bilateral plantar fibromatosis with onychomycosis and mild hallux valgus of the right foot, as well as readjudication of his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for increased ratings for bilateral pes planus, PTSD, and service connection for dysthymic disorder/depressive disorder. The TDIU claim was also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a right ankle disability and assigned a 10 percent evaluation. The Veteran's left heel spur claim was also granted.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus and thoracolumbar strain are currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board finds that these conditions do not warrant a higher rating based on current evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 were denied as new and material evidence was not received to reopen the left foot disability claim, and his bilateral hearing loss and acquired psychiatric disabilities (PTSD) were not found to be related to service or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's current right foot disabilities, including Achilles tendon bursitis, plantar fasciitis, and a right heel spur, are found to be related to his service. Service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for flat feet is dismissed due to his withdrawal. The right wrist disability was not incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's service-connected plantar fasciitis of the left foot is currently evaluated at 10 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher evaluation is not warranted based on the evidence. The claim for TDIU remains pending.