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

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to address the etiology of the Veteran's left foot plantar warts and the current severity of his service-connected right foot plantar warts. The Veteran is also asked to provide or identify any private medical records that may be relevant.

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for severe pes planus with tarsal arthritis, finding no new and material evidence to support the claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral shin splints and flat feet are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral foot disability, claimed as flat feet. The evidence submitted since the January 2006 rating decision includes additional VA treatment records and examination reports, private treatment records, lay statements, and hearing testimony, which raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral ankle strain, bilateral pes planus, bilateral pinguecula, and bilateral hallux valgus. The evidence did not show any injury or disability of these conditions in service or until more than a year after service separation.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been presented to reopen the service connection claims for arthritis, bilateral leg disorders, left foot disability, and left ankle condition. The claims remain denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension, nephrolithiasis, right foot disability, and hearing loss were not incurred or aggravated by service. The PTSD claim was denied as well.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus and granted it, finding that new evidence supports a current diagnosis of bilateral pes planus dating back to active duty.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be service-connected. The Board also finds that the left foot disability and right shoulder disorder are not service-connected.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The claim for an increased rating for left foot plantar fasciitis and degenerative arthritis with bone spurs was denied as the disability did not meet criteria for a higher evaluation. Claims to reopen for low back, left knee, and bilateral ankle disorders were also denied due to lack of new and material evidence. Service connection claims for low back, left knee, and sleep apnea were also denied.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU was denied as he did not meet the schedular criteria for TDIU prior to June 18, 1998 and there is no evidence of unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and consideration of his service-connected bilateral pes planus, bilateral hallux valgus, and bilateral degenerative joint disease of the interphalangeal joints.

The Veteran's left foot disability, which includes fractures of the metatarsal joints and gout, is currently rated as moderately-severe under Diagnostic Code 5284. The Board finds that a 20 percent rating is appropriate.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected bilateral pes planus, right hallux valgus, left hallux valgus, and bilateral shoulder osteoarthropathy, bilateral knee osteoarthropathy with chondromalacia, and bilateral ankle osteoarthropathy. The appeals were based on the Veteran's complaints of pain and tingling in his feet and joints.

The Board found that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's right foot Achilles tendonitis and plantar fasciitis were caused by or made worse by his military service, including his time in the reserves on Active Duty for Training (ACDUTRA) and Inactive Duty Training (INACDUTRA).

The Board has determined that further medical examination and opinion are needed to determine the nature, etiology, and current severity of the Veteran's hepatitis C, bilateral knee disabilities, right foot disability, left foot disability, and skin condition. The case is therefore being REMANDED for these purposes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ankle instability and pes planus were aggravated by military service, warranting service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches has been reopened, and the evidence now supports this claim.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for flat feet, an acquired psychiatric disorder (major depression with psychosis), and hypertension have also been reopened. The evidence now supports these claims as well.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a higher rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral plantar fasciitis.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues including service connection for psychiatric disorders, right ankle and foot disabilities. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records, clarify the nature of her conditions, and determine if there are any secondary service connection claims.