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

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional proceedings, including a new VA examination to assess the current level of her service-connected bilateral foot disability and obtaining any outstanding relevant private treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support granting any of the requested increases in disability ratings.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral flat feet has been granted. The reduction of disability ratings for right and left knee chondromalacia patella was denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, with the exception of his claim for a compensable rating for a left inguinal hernia. The remaining claims for bilateral pes planus and associated physical conditions, as well as a mood disorder secondary to those conditions, were also denied.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any current right foot disability, as there are sufficient symptoms of current disability that may be associated with service. The Veteran's statements regarding how he incurred his claimed disability and continued to have symptoms since service are considered.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination and a need for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and arranging for a new VA examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral foot disabilities, including gout, hallux valgus, plantar fasciitis, degenerative joint disease, and calcaneal spur, did not have onset in service or within one year of separation. The conditions were also not otherwise related to an injury, disease, or event in service.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches, hemorrhoids, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and left leg deep vein thrombosis (DVT) were granted increased ratings. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, low back disability, cervical spine disability, sinusitis, right knee disability, and bilateral plantar fasciitis issues remain unresolved.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pes planus was aggravated by service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and verifying periods of ACDUTRA and INACDUTRA. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's right foot plantar fasciitis is currently rated at 10 percent, the maximum schedular rating available. The Board finds that her disability does not more closely approximate a higher rating based on functional impairment or symptoms.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral aphakia, shrapnel wound to the right upper leg, CAD, and other conditions, preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral ankle, left heel, and right heel conditions are not service-connected as they are not caused or aggravated by his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a right foot disability, back disability, and gynecological disability. The Board found that there was no direct evidence linking these conditions to her military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for an updated assessment of his employment handicap and eligibility for vocational rehabilitation benefits.

The Board found that a compensable rating for the Veteran's right foot status post surgery for recurrent plantar warts of the anterior portion of the plantar surface is not warranted as he did not require localized or episodic cutaneous involvement and intermittent systemic medication, such as immunosuppressive retinoids.

The Board finds that the Veteran's alcohol abuse is not service-connected as secondary to his PTSD and/or bipolar disorder. The claim for increased rating of bilateral pes planus with calcaneal spurs remains denied.

The Veteran's claim for an extra-schedular rating and TDIU was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support entitlement to an extra-schedular rating, as no unusual or exceptional disability picture had been demonstrated. For TDIU, the combined evaluation of 80% met the minimum requirements but the Veteran's service-connected disabilities were deemed insufficient for a finding of unemployability.

The Veteran's initial ratings for plantar fasciitis and right wrist disability were denied. The Veteran's service-connected conditions are rated as 'direct' (not based on a presumption or secondary to another condition).

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a videoconference hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.