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

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to newly acquired medical evidence, and will consider whether service connection can be granted based on secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to address the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral foot disability, chronic fatigue syndrome (to include as due to undiagnosed illness under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. � 1117), and left knee disability.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral pes planus, a disability claimed as degenerative bone disease of the knees, and a disability claimed as degenerative bone disease of the ankles. The Veteran's current disabilities were not found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran is entitled to a total disability rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability prior to April 28, 2010 due to service-connected disabilities preventing him from obtaining or retaining substantial gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and development of his claims for service connection for right hip, knee, and foot disorders secondary to a service-connected right ankle sprain.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral pes planus and there is no evidence linking this condition to his military service. The claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus did not become symptomatic during service and was not aggravated by any service-connected disability. The evidence does not support a finding of aggravation, as there is no credible evidence showing ongoing foot pain post-service until approximately 16 years after discharge.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis warrants a separate 10 percent rating for each foot, effective July 31, 2007.

The Board found that the Veteran's right and left foot disabilities are primarily manifested by mild arthritis of the first metatarsophalangeal joint and pain, warranting a 10 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 5284. The evidence does not support higher ratings as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for moderately severe residuals.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, fibromyalgia (to include as secondary to PTSD), and arthritis have been denied. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD from May 3, 2007 through April 18, 2011 has been granted. The Veteran's claims of entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 70 percent for PTSD since April 19, 2011 and to an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) from November 19, 2007 through April 18, 2011 have been granted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for plantar fibroma of the left foot, finding that his current disability is related to an in-service injury. The issue of a left ankle disability remains pending and will be addressed in a separate decision.

The Board denied service connection for low back, cervical spine, right hip, and bilateral foot disabilities.

The Veteran's right foot disability is manifested by severe pain, swelling, erythema, multiple significant deformities, a limited range of motion, traumatic arthritis, tibial tendonitis, severe pes planus, muscle atrophy, ankylosis of the great toe interphalangeal joint, a Stage I pressure ulcer, and limitation of motion of the ankle. The Veteran's right foot disability is rated 20 percent under Diagnostic Code 5284.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus, as well as his increased rating claims for skin condition and right eye blindness. The Board found that there was no increase in disability during service beyond the natural progression of the disease.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities combine to a 70 percent rating, which is sufficient for TDIU under the schedular criteria. However, the Board denied referral of his claim for extraschedular consideration due to meeting the threshold disability percentage requirement.

The Veteran failed to report for scheduled VA examinations, which are necessary to determine the current severity of his service-connected foot disabilities. As a result, the claims cannot be substantiated without these examinations.

The Board found that there is no current evidence of a bilateral foot disability, Cooley's anemia, or leukemia. The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as the competent and credible evidence did not show a current disability.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disability is related to his service-connected bilateral knee disability and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues related to his service-connected disabilities, including a low back disability and bilateral pes planus. The Board has ordered remand for additional development of the claims, particularly regarding the low back disability and effective dates.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found no evidence of current disabilities or a relationship to military service.