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

The Veteran's claims for service connection for alcoholism, high cholesterol, right shoulder disability, bilateral pes planus, low back disability, and hemorrhoids have been denied as a matter of law due to the prohibition on direct service connection for these conditions based on their relationship to substance abuse. The claim for initial compensable evaluation for service-connected hemorrhoids is also denied.

The Board denied service connection for pes planus and an acquired psychiatric disability, finding that the Veteran's pes planus preexisted service and was not aggravated during service. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disability was also denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected sinusitis is granted as it is proximately due to his service-connected deviated septum.

The Veteran's vocational rehabilitation training outside the United States was not necessary for him to qualify for, obtain, and retain suitable employment in his chosen field due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service. However, further examination is needed to determine if his right shoulder, right foot, and left knee disabilities are also related to his service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including an examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of any current bilateral foot disability(ies), as well as whether any such disabilities are related to service-connected cervical spine, low back, and/or hip disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have hearing loss for VA purposes and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The claim for a foot disability was remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have service connection for any of the claimed conditions, as there is no evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity and manifestations of his service-connected knees and bilateral ankle and feet disabilities. The examiner should also address whether any current bilateral ankle and foot disabilities are causally or etiologically related to parachute jump landings during military service.

The Veteran's sole current service-connected disability is bilateral plantar warts, rated at 50 percent disabling. The Board finds that this condition alone does not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for pyoderma (claimed as tropical fungus of the legs) and granted service connection for a left foot disability due to its etiology being linked to active military service.

The Veteran's flat feet are currently rated as 10 percent disabling, but the Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating based on the criteria provided in Diagnostic Code 5276.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected plantar fasciitis with pes planus, status post plantar fascial release with scars, right and left foot are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including scheduling VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain missing medical records and for new VA examinations. The claims will be readjudicated based on the additional evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral pes planus was aggravated by his military service, and thus service connection is granted.

The Veteran's pre-existing bilateral pes planus worsened during active military service and is therefore considered aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee arthritis was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show flexion limited to 45 degrees or extension limited to 10 degrees, which would warrant higher ratings under Diagnostic Codes 5260 and/or 5261.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 30 percent rating for bilateral pes planus with plantar warts and calluses was granted as of February 3, 2004. The Board found that the earliest submitted informal claim was dated September 27, 2006, but VA medical records from February 3, 2004, also constituted an informal claim for increase due to worsening symptoms.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA outpatient treatment records and SSA disability determination records. A VA examination will also be scheduled to determine the nature and etiology of any bilateral foot disorder.