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

The Veteran's appeal was denied for increased ratings and service connection claims. The Board found that the evidence did not support a grant of benefits in any of the issues raised.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a Board hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a foot disability that was caused by her service and denied her claim for service connection.

The Veteran's initial rating for her service-connected left foot disability was increased to 20 percent effective January 13, 2010. The case is now being remanded for further development of the record and a new VA examination.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral pes planus and higher initial disability ratings for chronic left foot and ankle strain, degenerative joint disease of the left knee, herniated lumbar disc with radiculopathy, and degenerative joint disease of the right shoulder. The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, bilateral pes planus, and degenerative disc disease are all related to his military service. The claims were granted.

The Veteran's combined service-connected disabilities (bilateral pes planus and traumatic overuse of the lumbosacral spine) do not meet or approximate the percentage requirements for a TDIU rating under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a).

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including additional VA examinations and medical opinions on various issues.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a right knee disorder, and a left knee disorder. The Veteran's claim to reopen the previously denied psychiatric disorder was also denied due to lack of new and material evidence. Service connection for bilateral pes planus is not granted as there is no credible evidence linking the condition to service or any other service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board is remanding the case to allow for further development.

The Veteran seeks a higher rating for his service connected bilateral plantar fasciitis and calcaneal heel spurs. The case is REMANDED to the RO/AMC for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination of the feet.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current musculoskeletal disabilities, including left foot disability, low back disability, neck disability, left leg disability (including radiculopathy), left ankle disability, bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral elbow disability, and bilateral hand disability are related to a motor vehicle accident during service. As such, these conditions have been granted as service-connected.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as the RO found that his service-connected conditions did not warrant a higher rating, and no new evidence had been submitted to reopen previously closed claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have pes planus or osteoarthritis of the feet, but he was granted service connection for degenerative changes of the hips. The initial rating assigned is in accordance with the severity of his condition.

The Veteran's left foot hallux valgus is rated at 30 percent, and his right foot hallux valgus with residuals of fracture to the 3rd metatarsal prior to February 7, 2011 is also rated at 30 percent. The rating for his right foot hallux valgus and healed 3rd metatarsal fracture with additional symptoms since February 7, 2011 has been increased to 30 percent.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was first manifested on active duty service and has persisted since that time. The Board granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims, including service connection for a low back disability as secondary to his other disabilities, flat feet, hidradenitis of the perianal or perirectal area, increase in ratings for his knees, and total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to obtain his complete service treatment records, including those from the Army Reserve Personnel Center and the Alabama Adjutant General Office.

The Veteran does not have a foot disability, obstructive sleep apnea, or a back disability that was caused by his service.

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder disorder and bilateral plantar fasciitis, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to her active duty service.