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

The Board finds that the overpayment of VA compensation benefits in the amount of $3,319.84 was properly created and is a valid debt.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development of his claims, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his hallux valgus, hammertoe, and pes planus. Additionally, an increased rating for his lumbosacral spine disability and a new claim for TDIU are before the Board.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed back disability, bilateral foot disability, and hypertension are not related to service. The claims for direct service connection have been denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and consideration of his claims for service connection for bilateral flat feet, peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities. The case will be returned to the Board after this additional development.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a bilateral foot disability, to include as secondary to his service-connected right thigh crush injury, has been withdrawn.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a video conference hearing at the nearest VA facility to her current residence in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The Board has requested an addendum to the March 2012 VA examination report and a new VA examination if necessary, in order to determine whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment. The case will be returned for further adjudication.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining worker's compensation records and clarifying the reasons for his disability retirement. A comprehensive VA examination with an occupational specialist/psychologist will be conducted to assess the Veteran's employability given his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine if his current right foot disabilities are related to service. The issue of entitlement to service connection for his right foot disability will be reconsidered after this additional development.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis is rated at a noncompensable level, but the Board has determined that it warrants an initial 10 percent rating based on its manifestations.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus was aggravated by active military service and his residuals of skin cancer are as likely as not to have had their onset during his active service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his bilateral foot disability was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating than 40 percent.

The Board has granted a separate 10 percent rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis, effective from the date of the initial grant of service connection (May 8, 2003).

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral ankle strain due to congenital calcaneal-talar fibrous coalition, which is permanently aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus. The claim for an increased evaluation for bilateral pes planus remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected fungus of the bilateral feet and pes planus were granted. However, his claims for a brain tumor, right leg disability, and right hand disability were denied.

The Board has determined that there is no current diagnosis of a left foot disability, and thus service connection for this condition cannot be granted. The Veteran's claims for sinusitis and hemorrhoids are remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for low back strain, sinusitis (secondary to bronchial asthma), obesity (secondary to bronchial asthma), and flat feet/cysts on feet (secondary to bronchial asthma).

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in the VA examiner's opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral pes planus. The claim will be further developed and a new comprehensive examination may be required.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis resulted in calluses, pain and pain on use of each foot, without evidence of marked pronation or inward displacement, extreme tenderness, or severe spasm of the Achilles tendons. Effective February 8, 2012, he was granted a disability rating of 30 percent for this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's preexisting right foot disability did not undergo a permanent increase in severity as a result of military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.