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

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus is currently rated at 30 percent, the highest rating available under Diagnostic Code 5276 for severe bilateral pes planus. The Board finds that this rating adequately reflects the severity of his disability.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a VA examination. The case will be returned to the Board for further review.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral knee disability, headaches, and left foot disability as there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's joint pain is attributed to pre-existing conditions and not due to service. Service connection for the claimed disabilities is denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral pes planus with degenerative joint disease of the first metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint is being remanded due to inadequate notice and scheduling issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes was not incurred during service and is unrelated to service. The claim for service connection for diabetes must be denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination and medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed bilateral plantar fasciitis, as well as whether it is secondary to his service-connected bilateral knee disorders.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral foot disorder, to include bilateral pes planus, is denied as the evidence does not show that his current condition manifested during or was caused by his period of active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and requests for additional information. The Veteran's claims of right foot disability and low back injury will be reviewed again after these issues are addressed.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims, including obtaining SSA records and arranging for VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral pes planus are service-connected. The right and left ankle disorders have been reopened, but further development is needed to determine their connection to service.

The Veteran has a combined rating of 80% for service-connected disabilities and is employed in suitable employment, thus meeting the criteria to deny his request for VA vocational rehabilitation benefits.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was found to warrant a 30 percent rating, the maximum available under VA regulations.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn regarding the issue of dental disorder. The Board finds that multiple joint and muscle pain, urethritis, prostatitis, chronic sinusitis, conjunctivitis, dry eye syndrome, night sweats (due to Reiter's syndrome or sarcoidosis), respiratory problems (sarcoidosis), blood in stools/hemorrhoids, and short term memory loss are all part of his service-connected Reiter's syndrome. The Veteran's right heel spur residuals do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation. His sarcoidosis does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disability has been rated as severe since October 8, 2008, warranting a 30 percent rating for each foot.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis warrants a 30 percent disability rating, effective from the date of the July 2008 rating decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed bilateral arm or foot disability, and therefore service connection is denied for these conditions.

The Veteran's initial ratings for right and left foot plantar fasciitis were granted at 10 percent each. The appeal regarding service connection for a respiratory disorder, right knee disability, and left knee disability is pending.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to address the Veteran's claims of service connection for right foot disability and low back disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral eye disorder and left foot pes planus were denied. The Board found no evidence of current disabilities or in-service incurrences that would support these claims.