Foot (incl. plantar fasciitis, flat feet) decisions — 2013

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 10 percent, and his right hip disability claim was granted. The service connection for flat feet remains pending.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for hemorrhoids and bilateral foot disability. The Veteran will be provided a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for pes planus and degenerative changes of the knees, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the pes planus claim and that there was no direct evidence linking the current conditions to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining his complete VA treatment records and scheduling him for appropriate VA examinations to determine the current severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case to obtain missing service records and determine if new evidence supports reopening the claim of service connection for a bilateral foot disability.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis prior to August 31, 2006 was denied. The Board granted a 30 percent rating from August 31, 2006 to September 17, 2009 and continued the 50 percent rating since then.

The Board found that there is no evidence to support a direct service connection for the Veteran's left foot disability. The current evidence does not show an in-service injury or disease related to his feet, and the medical opinions do not establish a nexus between his current disabilities and his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the current status of his left foot condition and its impact on his ability to function.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis and an increased rating for mild facet osteoarthritis are being remanded due to inadequate examination reports and the need for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional service treatment records and an examination. The issues of entitlement to service connection for back disability, bilateral hip disability (secondary), and bilateral foot disability (secondary) are on appeal.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis and pes planus is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus. The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and depression are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is 60%, which does not meet the criteria for a TDIU under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a). The Board finds that his service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn for the issues of entitlement to an initial, compensable rating for service-connected left ear hearing loss and entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for service-connected left foot plantar fasciitis. The issue of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) remains on appeal.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral knee and hip conditions have been granted, effective July 7, 1999. The decision also addressed a claim of CUE in prior rating decisions.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current right foot disability other than service-connected pes planus is not related to his military service.,There is no evidence of a left foot disability during service or for many years thereafter, and the Veteran has provided inconsistent statements regarding any such condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral foot disability, claimed as pes planus with heel disability, and his left ankle disability are not service-connected. The evidence does not show an increase in severity of pes planus during service or a relationship between current foot disabilities and service.

The Board found that the appellant's bilateral pes planus did not pre-exist service and is not related to his military service. The condition was diagnosed in 2000, many years after his period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA).

The Veteran's appeal of service connection for hypertension has been withdrawn. The Board has granted service connection for left wrist tendonitis and bilateral pes planus.,Service connection is granted for a right shoulder disorder, left wrist tendonitis, and bilateral pes planus.