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

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and a VA examination. The issue of entitlement to an initial rating higher than 10 percent for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis remains on appeal.

The Board has remanded the case for a video conference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge of the Board due to the Veteran's request.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral shin splints is denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or residual disability from the diagnosed condition during the appeal period.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for bilateral pes planus, effective from the date of the initial denial in November 1996. The Veteran's TDIU claim is referred to the Director, Compensation and Pension Service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and consideration, including a VA examination to determine if the surgically removed plantar wart had its onset in or was related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for various conditions including bilateral foot disabilities, left and right hip/knee disabilities, rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, residuals of a nasal fracture (including deviated septum), sleep apnea, and chronic folliculitis. The Veteran's hearing loss is also service connected.

The Board has determined that the November 2009 VA examination is not adequate for the issues of service connection for bilateral pes planus and right knee disability. The Veteran should be scheduled for a new VA examination to address these medical matters.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain additional evidence and determine the credibility of his statements regarding his in-service exposure and symptomatology.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for bilateral flat feet, but denied the secondary service connection claim for arthritis of the feet. The Veteran's claims are pending further adjudication.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any foot disability found.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral pes planus, posttraumatic headaches, and benign positional vertigo are not supported by the evidence of record. The current evaluations adequately reflect the severity of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral plantar psoriasis is not related to military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral foot disability did not manifest during his active service and is not etiologically related to such service. As a result, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's right foot disability, which included an open reduction and internal fixation procedure, was found to have moderate symptoms throughout the appeal period. The Board determined that a higher evaluation is not warranted as there were no objective findings of moderately severe symptoms such as loss of use or significant range of motion limitations.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to determine if his bilateral foot disability is secondary to his service-connected right ankle condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for pes planus was denied, but his lumbar spine disability has been granted with a 10% rating. The claim for erectile dysfunction secondary to PTSD is also granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a hearing loss disability for VA purposes. The effective date for the grant of service connection for tinnitus remains November 30, 2007.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right foot disability and hepatosplenomegaly with liver cyst. Specifically, additional medical opinions are required regarding whether any current disabilities of the right foot or liver/spleen are related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new VA examination to determine the current severity and all manifestations of her service-connected bilateral pes planus, including pronation. Additionally, her medical records from Pensacola, Mobile, and Biloxi VAMCs are requested.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus and learning disability, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the latter claim. The decision also found that the preexisting bilateral pes planus was not aggravated by military service.