Foot (incl. plantar fasciitis, flat feet) decisions — 2012

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral pes planus with left foot fracture and degenerative changes of the feet, right ankle degenerative changes, and left ankle degenerative changes were denied. The maximum schedular disability rating possible was granted for each condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining workers' compensation records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral pes planus and back disorder are pending.

The Board has granted service connection for a deviated septum and epistaxis, and reopened the claims of service connection for a skin rash and sleep apnea. The issues of service connection for IBS, flat feet, diverticulitis, and whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for hemorrhoids are addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right ankle disorder and right foot pes planus, finding no current disability or evidence of in-service injury. The claim for hypertension is not claimed. Service connection for cervical spine spondylosis and left foot pes planus are also not claimed.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have current diagnoses of headaches, foot disability, or left knee disability. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for painful feet and an initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss, finding that his pes planus did not cause or aggravate his foot pain and that his left ear hearing loss was only at Level I impairment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO due to scheduling issues for a video-conference hearing. The claims for service connection on various conditions are pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The effective date of the grant of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was changed to October 12, 2007.

The Board has received notification that the appellant wishes to withdraw her appeal regarding whether new and material evidence was submitted to reopen a claim for service connection for falling arches (flat feet).

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claims for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis of the hands and bilateral pes planus. The Veteran's hidradenitis suppurativa, keloid on the right breast, hypopigmented keloid on the right lower extremity, atopic dermatitis, left knee chondromalacia patella, and right knee chondromalacia patella have all been evaluated as not meeting the criteria for higher ratings. The Veteran's major depressive disorder with anxiety disorder and PTSD symptoms has also not met the criteria for a rating in excess of 50 percent.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability has been rated as 10 percent disabling, and his bilateral plantar fasciitis has not met the criteria for a compensable rating. The Board found that the evidence did not support an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for the right shoulder or a compensable rating for the bilateral plantar fasciitis.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to incomplete service records and the need for additional examinations. The issues of service connection, reopening claims, and evaluations will be addressed.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected right ankle disability, including chronic right ankle pain due to mild instability and plantar fasciitis.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis, as well as his sinusitis, were not incurred or aggravated by service. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine, lumbar spine and right foot disabilities have been granted initial evaluations. The cervical spine disability is rated at 10 percent prior to April 20, 2010, and at 20 percent beginning on that date. The lumbar spine disability is rated at 10 percent. The right foot disability is rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was granted as a direct service connection, and the VA determined that he had not been diagnosed with PTSD at the time of his death.,The Veteran's claim for bilateral pes planus was granted as a direct service connection, based on evidence indicating it was related to combat injuries during service.,The Veteran's claim for spinal disorder was granted as a direct service connection, due to old trauma and a nexus to combat service.,The Veteran's claim for seborrheic dermatitis was denied as there was no competent medical evidence linking the condition to his presumed exposure to Agent Orange or any event during service.,The Veteran's claim for left knee disorder was granted as a direct service connection, based on evidence indicating he had arthritis due to old trauma.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on current symptoms.