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

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for issuance of a statement of the case regarding his claim to reopen service connection for a low back disability. The Veteran must perfect an appeal if he wishes to have this issue reviewed by the Board.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and related conditions, finding no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicide agents or a direct link between the Veteran's military service and his current health issues.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including providing notice regarding personal assault claims and associating medical records. A clarifying opinion from a VA psychiatrist on the question of whether any currently manifested psychiatric disorder first manifested during active service or is related to event(s) during active service will also be obtained.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for bilateral pes planus and bilateral tibialis and posterior tibial dysfunction, but further development is needed as these issues are currently pending before the RO.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right ankle condition and plantar fasciitis, to include as secondary to his left knee disability, have been reopened. However, further development is needed due to the need for VCAA compliance.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral pes planus, but rather has bilateral plantar fasciitis. The Veteran's symptomatology is already considered in her existing service-connected disability rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral foot problems are not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected corns and calluses of the bilateral feet are manifested by pain, an impaired gait, deformed metatarsals, and moderately severe pes planus. The Board denied a higher evaluation for these conditions.

The Board granted service connection for left pes planus and osteoarthritis, right ankle with a 10% disability rating effective April 22, 2008. The Veteran's claim of an earlier effective date was denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a medical nexus opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus caused or aggravated his left knee disorder.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including a low back disability, bilateral knee disabilities, right foot pes planus, left facial numbness, ulnar neuropathy of the left upper extremity, and right elbow and hand numbness.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left foot disability is not causally related to service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that his diastolic pressure is predominantly under 100 and systolic pressure is predominantly under 160. Therefore, a higher rating for hypertension is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral flat feet and atrophy of the right testicle, finding that there was no evidence of aggravation or increase in severity during active duty. The Veteran's flat feet were deemed to have pre-existed his entry into service.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for a 20% rating for service-connected Morton's neuroma with plantar fasciitis of the left foot, finding that there was no increase in disability prior to January 29, 2007.

The case is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing and issuance of statements of the case on service connection claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current disabilities of flat feet or gout, and there is no evidence linking these conditions to service. Therefore, service connection for both conditions is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's current foot disability did not manifest during service and was not incurred or aggravated by service. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a VA examination. The issues of service connection for bilateral pes planus, bunions, residuals of left foot surgery, and right foot condition are pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are of such severity so as to preclude substantially gainful employment, and the Board grants a TDIU rating.