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

The Board found that the Veteran's lung disability (bronchitis) is not related to service, but reopened her claims for lumbosacral spine and bilateral knee disabilities due to new evidence. The claim for bilateral foot disability was also reopened.

The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus and tarsal tunnel syndrome do not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including low back strain and tinnitus, have prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal for an increased initial rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical records and to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral pes planus and granted an initial rating of 10 percent for the thoracic spine disability. The Veteran is currently receiving separate 10 percent ratings for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity and right lower extremity.

The Veteran's service-connected left foot plantar fasciitis is currently rated at 10 percent, which the Board finds appropriate given his symptoms and treatment. The Veteran desires a higher rating but acknowledges that a 10 percent evaluation would satisfy his appeal.

The Veteran does not have a current left elbow disability, but has bilateral pes planus that pre-existed service and was aggravated during service. The right foot calcaneal bone cyst/contusion is considered to be incurred in active service.,Service connection for the left elbow disorder is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Veteran's right and left foot plantar fasciitis have been rated at 20% each, effective from the date of service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by his service-connected psychiatric disability, bipolar disorder with depression. The cause of death was listed as probable cardiac arrhythmia due to an enlarged heart. Given the evidence, including the independent medical evaluation, which concluded that the medications prescribed for his psychiatric condition likely contributed to his death, the Board has granted service connection for the cause of death.

The Board denied the Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral elbow and ankle disabilities, as well as his claims for bilateral heel spurs, knee arthritis, hand arthritis, and left foot disability. The RO found that these conditions were not incurred in or caused by service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral foot disability results in pain that is treated by the use of orthotics; however, a disorder that is 'moderate' in severity has not been shown.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral foot and ankle disability, including pes planus, chronic plantar fasciitis, hammertoes or post-surgical residuals (including scars), numbness of the right foot, and bilateral ankle strain, is at least as likely as not related to her service. Therefore, she is granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus and granted it, finding that new evidence submitted since the last denial raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim. The Board determined that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus worsened beyond its normal progression during his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU, primarily due to an examiner's opinion that the Veteran was capable of sedentary work. The case is remanded for further development including obtaining the Veteran's complete work history and educational background.

The Veteran's claims for higher disability ratings for his bilateral heel disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination and consideration of newly obtained records from Social Security Administration.

The Veteran's service-connected breathing problems are found to be a qualifying chronic disability under the provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 3.317, and her residuals of left foot injury are rated at 20 percent based on moderate symptoms.

The Board has determined that the issues of service connection for headaches, a generalized bone/joint disorder including arthritis and strains of multiple joints, a left knee disorder, and a bilateral foot disorder (pes planus) have been rendered moot due to the grant of service connection in May 2012. The appellant's claims are denied as there is no evidence linking her current conditions to military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for plantar fasciitis of the left foot is being remanded due to a lack of medical evidence and need for further examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO due to a missed Travel Board hearing scheduled in October 2010. The Veteran wishes to have his hearing rescheduled because he claims VA did not notify him of the hearing.