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

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis has not been manifested by moderate symptomatology, to include a weight-bearing line over or medial to the great toe, inward bowing of the tendo achillis, and pain on manipulation and use of the feet. Therefore, he is not entitled to an initial compensable rating.

The Board has determined that the VA examination is inadequate and remands the case for another examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of any current foot disabilities, including hallux valgus, hammertoes, and pes planus. The examiner must consider whether there was a superimposed injury or disease in active duty service resulting in additional disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the current severity of her service-connected right and left foot plantar fasciitis.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral foot disability, respiratory disability (bronchitis), and hypertension did not have their onset during military service or are otherwise etiologically related to her period of active duty.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, and bilateral pes planus. The Board found that the evidence is at least in equipoise on whether these conditions were incurred during active service.,Obstructive sleep apnea was noted by the Veteran's former spouse who reported hearing him stop breathing while asleep during his time in service.

The Board has ordered additional development of the Veteran's service treatment records and requested a legible copy of his entrance examination. The appeal will be returned to the RO for further consideration.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of her service-connected bilateral pes planus, and for obtaining all outstanding treatment records from the Baltimore VA Medical Center.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus does not warrant a disability rating in excess of 10 percent, as his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis was incurred in active service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right hand disability and an increased evaluation for bilateral pes planus. The Veteran is currently incarcerated, but VA must tailor its assistance to meet his peculiar circumstances.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for heart disability, bilateral foot disability, and bilateral shin disability due to lack of evidence showing a current disability related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a VA examination to assess the current severity of her cervical spine and right foot disabilities, as well as any outstanding treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder and also denied his request for an increased rating for his bilateral foot disability. The claims were not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence, and he was not granted a higher rating for his foot condition.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations for her service-connected left ankle and foot disabilities were denied by the Board.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, pes planus with plantar fasciitis, cervical strain, lumbar strain, right shoulder acromioclavicular joint hypertrophy and strain (major), and left shoulder strain (minor) were denied as there is no current evidence of a bilateral hearing loss disability as defined by VA regulations. The Veteran's service treatment records show exposure to noise during service but do not indicate the presence of a current bilateral hearing loss disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling an EMG study and diabetes mellitus testing. The case will be readjudicated after the completion of these actions.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus is manifested by extreme tenderness of plantar surfaces of the feet without improvement by orthopedic shoes and inserts, warranting a 50 percent disability rating.

The Veteran does not have any service-connected disabilities for his right foot, left foot, right ankle, left ankle, right shoulder, left shoulder, or low back conditions. The VA examiners found no evidence of chronicity of these disorders prior to their current diagnoses.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his bilateral plantar fasciitis and residuals of a cold injury to the hands including peripheral neuropathy.