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

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability and bilateral knee disability, as well as his requests for initial ratings for right and left foot pes planus and left foot plantar fibromatosis. The appeal regarding compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for post-operative right hand and ring finger Dupuytren's contracture residuals is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection for dental disability, and denied all other claims for increase.

The Veteran's appeal involves claims for increased ratings and service connection. The issues include a request to increase the rating for postoperative residuals of plantar fasciitis in his left foot, chronic frontal sinusitis, and right foot plantar fasciitis as secondary to the left foot condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to confusion regarding his current address. The case will be returned to the RO for clarification and scheduling of a Travel Board hearing.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis has been rated at 30 percent since December 15, 2011. Prior to that date, the disability was rated at 10 percent for each foot.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not have any service connection claims pending at the time of his death for glaucoma, foot pain/plantar fasciitis, Dupuytren's contractures, meningitis, right rotator cuff problems, a right knee condition, cirrhosis with encephalitis and hepatic encephalopathy, or hepatitis B. As such, these claims are denied as accrued benefits.

The Board found no evidence of current bilateral hip disability or foot disability that is related to service, and thus denied the Veteran's claims for these conditions.

The Board found the Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disability and bilateral pes planus were not supported by the evidence, as his current conditions are more likely related to post-service events than to his military service.

The Board determined that the Veteran's current bilateral foot disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor was a bilateral foot disability incurred due to or aggravated by his service-connected knee disabilities.

The Veteran's right knee degenerative joint disease is currently rated at 20 percent, effective as of the date of the decision. The claim for service connection for pes planus remains pending.

The Veteran's service connection claim for left foot plantar fasciitis has been granted, while his initial rating claim for right foot plantar fasciitis remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for further development.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have a diagnosed shoulder, low back, left foot, or right foot disability and thus denied service connection for all four disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including consideration of service connection claims and TDIU eligibility. The case will be returned to the Board after these issues are adjudicated.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral foot, hip, and left knee disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing current disability related to service. The VA examiners opined that these conditions are not linked to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining better copies of service treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected foot disabilities.

The Veteran's hypertension was granted service connection as it manifested within a year of her separation from active duty. The Board found that asthma, plantar fasciitis, right foot, bilateral ankle arthritis, and irritable bowel syndrome are secondary to her service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder.

The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral pes planus was aggravated by his military service, and also determined that he developed calluses of both feet due to his period of active service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis is manifested by tenderness, mild loss of function, pain, soreness, swelling, fatigability, a lack of endurance, flare-ups, forefoot malalignment, an absence of arch on weight bearing, moderate pronation, and apropulsive and antalgic gait with use of corrective shoes and orthotic inserts. The current 30 percent disability rating is the appropriate assignment for her service-connected plantar fasciitis.