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

The Board found that the Veteran's current right foot disabilities are not related to his active service and arthritis may not be presumed to have been incurred therein.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and adjustment disorder with somnambulance were initially granted in December 2003, but the effective date was set at November 8, 2003. The Veteran appealed for a higher rating and an earlier effective date. The Board found that the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 50 percent prior to July 1, 2004 were not met, while finding that from July 1, 2004, the criteria for a disability rating of 100 percent were met.

The Board found no evidence of a diagnosed psychiatric disability of PTSD and denied the Veteran's claims for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left foot disability, but has not addressed his claim for a secondary left ankle disability. The case is therefore remanded to obtain an examination and opinion regarding whether the Veteran's current left ankle disability is related to or aggravated by his now service-connected left foot disability.

The Veteran's combined rating for service-connected disabilities is 100%, which meets the criteria for a TDIU rating. The evidence shows that his service-connected conditions have prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear at a scheduled hearing. The case will be returned to the Board after scheduling a new hearing.

The Veteran's service connection claim for plantar warts of both feet has been granted. The Board found that the current bilateral foot disability is related to in-service plantar warts and established continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to ensure that all available records are obtained and reviewed, including a complete copy of an April 2010 VA examination report. The Veteran is scheduled for another VA examination to address whether his left foot disorder is due to or aggravated by his right foot disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his left foot plantar fasciitis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for IHD, which was granted effective December 21, 2010, is being granted with a higher rating of 60 percent since that date. The effective date for the grant of service connection for IHD has been changed from December 21, 2010 to March 9, 2009.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any bilateral foot disability. The Veteran's club foot deformity is being evaluated as part of this process.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder tendonitis, left knee sprain, and bilateral ankle disabilities have been denied as there is no current disability found in her medical records.

The Veteran's left arm pain and numbness are associated with his service-connected cervical spine disability, but not a separate disability. The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a separate disability of the left upper extremity.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral pes planus. The decision on bilateral hearing loss is due to lack of a nexus between current disability and service, while the claim for bilateral pes planus remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected spinal disability does not result in any of the claimed conditions, and thus these claims are denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of flat feet and there is no evidence in the record to support this claim. The Veteran's service treatment records are negative for complaints, symptoms, findings or diagnoses related to flat feet. His post-service VA treatment records also do not indicate any such condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing at the RO. The specific issues of increased evaluations for plantar fasciitis of both feet remain pending.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of the Veteran's diabetes mellitus. The claim for an increased rating for bilateral pes planus with metatarsalgia and bone spurs is also being remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient VCAA notice and incomplete medical records. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral foot disability will be reviewed again with new evidence and an updated examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, when combined as a single disability, do not meet the threshold percentage standards for TDIU. The VA examiner opined that the Veteran is capable of performing sedentary work with certain limitations.