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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus is at least as likely as not incurred during his active service, and thus grants service connection for both left foot and right foot pes planus.

The Veteran's left foot disability is claimed to have been aggravated by her active service. The Board finds that additional development, including a medical opinion regarding the aggravation, is needed before deciding this case.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain a medical examination and opinion regarding his pes planus, as well as additional development of other issues. The Veteran will be provided an opportunity to submit evidence or argument in response to this decision.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis is found to have had its clinical onset during service and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection, increased ratings, and compensable rating were all denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of in-service incurrence or a nexus to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the minimum percentage requirements for a TDIU rating, and the RO must consider whether referral is appropriate under 38 C.F.R. � 4.16(b).

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis does not cause limitation of motion or arthritis, and her symptoms are considered mild. Therefore, the claim for an initial compensable evaluation is denied.

The Veteran's claimed lumbar spine, foot, ankle, and joint pain disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by service. Joint pain is not related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate reasons and bases in the September 2012 decision. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right foot disability, including as secondary to his service-connected back condition, is now pending before the RO.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address the etiology of his claimed bilateral ankle and foot disability, including gout.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss, right shoulder disability, right knee disability, and Achilles tendonitis/plantar fasciitis are related to his active service. The claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Veteran's appeal is for increased ratings for his service-connected bilateral pes planus with triple arthrodesis, left foot. The Board has granted a 50 percent rating since January 14, 2011, but denied an increase prior to that date.

The Veteran's service-connected right foot plantar fasciitis with pes cavus has been rated at 20 percent effective February 22, 2013.,The Veteran's service-connected left foot plantar fasciitis with pes cavus has been rated at 10 percent effective October 1, 2006.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus was not aggravated by service, and therefore, service connection is granted.

The Veteran's left foot disability, characterized as pes cavus and varus hindfoot with plantar fasciitis, has been rated at 10 percent since November 17, 2006. The current rating is appropriate given the moderate disability manifested by left arch pain during flare-ups and limited ability to walk distances of up to a quarter mile.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address the issues of service connection and increased ratings for various disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral pes planus as new and material evidence was not submitted, and found that there was no evidence to suggest that his preexisting pes planus worsened during military service.

The May 2001 rating decision denying service connection for bilateral flat feet is final. The Veteran's claim of CUE in this decision was denied.,New evidence submitted since the May 2001 rating decision supports reopening his claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus, and he has established that his pre-existing condition worsened during military service.

The Board granted a 30 percent rating for bilateral pes planus disability from April 27, 2007. The Veteran's claim for SMC due to loss of use of both feet remains in remand status.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and providing a VA examination to address service connection claims for bilateral foot and ankle conditions. The issues on appeal are related to whether these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by active service.