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

The Veteran's claim of TDIU is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were granted, with effective dates prior to December 6, 2004. The Veteran was also awarded a TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and attempts to obtain relevant medical records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral flat feet, hernia, dental trauma, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus. The decision found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim for bilateral flat feet, there was no evidence of a current hernia or residuals thereof related to military service, and the Veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection for any of the other conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral foot disorders were not incurred or aggravated by active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found no evidence of an increase in the Veteran's bilateral pes planus with hallux valgus during service, and thus denied service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including foot pain, low back pain, shoulder pain, and neuropsychiatric symptoms, were denied as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service or an undiagnosed illness.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is currently rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 5276. The Veteran's postoperative arthrodesis of the right great toe issue remains unresolved as it is not part of a service connection claim.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of reopening his service connection for bilateral pes planus and has determined that he is entitled to service connection due to aggravation during military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's pes planus was present at entry into service and likely worsened during service, but not aggravated beyond normal progression. The condition is therefore presumed to have existed prior to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent, as there is no evidence of marked deformity, swelling on use or callosities.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for her service-connected pes planus with plantar fasciitis, right foot is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to evaluate the Veteran's employability due to his service-connected disabilities. The appeal is pending further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis were not incurred or aggravated by service, as there is no evidence of any complaints or treatment for these conditions during service. The pre-existing conditions are considered to have been present prior to enlistment.

The Board has remanded the claims due to uncertainty regarding the periods of active and inactive duty training, which is necessary for proper service connection determination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral toenail infection, onychomycosis, has been granted. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise and resolves all doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's flat feet and low back disability may be related to service, but a remand is needed for additional development including obtaining medical opinions on the nature of these conditions and their relationship to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's IBS, hemorrhoids/polyps, and right ankle disability are related to his active service. The bilateral pes planus was not shown to be incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral pes planus did not permanently increase in severity during his military service and denied all claims for secondary disabilities. The Board concluded that there was no evidence of a current hip, knee, or spine disability related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA and SSA records and scheduling a VA examination to reassess his service-connected disabilities.