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

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus is currently evaluated at a 10 percent rating, and the evidence does not support an increase in this rating.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis is currently rated at 30 percent, effective March 1, 2010. The Board finds that the evidence supports a higher rating prior to December 18, 2009 and since March 1, 2010.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient response and undeliverable communication, and requests for information have not been completed. The Veteran's new address in Virginia needs to be obtained and proper notice must be provided.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is currently rated at 30 percent, the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 5276. The effective date for this increased rating has been set as April 8, 2013.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of CMT disease and preexisting bilateral pes planus did not increase in severity during active service. Therefore, service connection for a foot disorder is denied.

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for pes planus and determined that it was aggravated by military service, granting service connection.

The Veteran's PFB was incurred during service and is currently in remission. His bilateral pes planus pre-existed service but did not become permanently aggravated by military service. The Veteran's right knee disability has been granted a rating of 10 percent since August 1, 2007, with an increased rating to 20 percent from March 25, 2008.

The Board denied service connection for both the Veteran's right and left foot disabilities, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for pes planus and sinusitis. The Veteran's conditions are as likely as not related to his periods of active duty.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a left foot disability, to include the great toe and ankle, and an initial rating for status post left tibia fracture. The Board found no current disability in either condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral foot disability did not preexist service and was not related to his military service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the preexisting bilateral pes planus was not aggravated by active service, and there is no evidence of a chronic left ankle disability proximately due to or chronically aggravated by service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected bilateral pes planus has been remanded due to the submission of additional evidence suggesting a worsening of his condition. The Board is requesting further development, including another VA compensation examination and obtaining all relevant medical records.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disability, claimed as plantar fasciitis, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have any current right foot disability related to his service, and finds that his pes planus was pre-existing. The Board also found no evidence of aggravation during service or post-service development of other current right foot disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus has been manifested by intermittent pronation and tenderness, with no improvement with the use of orthopedic shoes or appliances. The Board finds that a 50 percent evaluation for bilateral flat feet is warranted throughout the entire appeal period.

The Board is remanding the claims for further development due to new evidence and additional issues raised by the Veteran's hearing testimony.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and bilateral foot disability were not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU prior to August 31, 2010. From that date onward, the criteria were met.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for PTSD with dysthymic disorder, and the Board finds reasonable doubt in favor of this claim. The Veteran's bilateral foot disability is not service connected as there is no evidence of a chronic condition during or within one year after his separation from service.