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

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral foot disorders, left shoulder disorder, and neck disorder. The hiatal hernia was not addressed as it is a separate issue.

The Board has found that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for bilateral pes planus, and as such, the Veteran's current bilateral pes planus disability is considered incurred in active military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for a videoconference hearing before the Board. The issues of service connection for left knee disability, lower back disability, pes planus, and a compensable evaluation for left wrist laceration scar are pending.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus and bilateral ankle disorders, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing conditions were aggravated by active duty service.

The Board found that pes planus was not shown during service or for many years thereafter, and is not currently shown. Therefore, the claim for service connection for Pes Planus was denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a back disability and a bilateral foot disability, finding no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an increased disability evaluation on an extraschedular basis and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The evidence did not support the need for an extraschedular evaluation or TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's service connection claims for pes planus, low back problems, swelling of both hands, swelling of both legs, and ruptured appendix/appendectomy as there was no evidence showing a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge and issuance of a statement of the case on his left foot disability claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed left foot disability, including calluses on the plantar aspect of the left great toe and fourth toe, bunion, hammertoes, and pes planus, did not have its onset during service or as a result of her service-connected left knee and left ankle disabilities. Therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records and for a new examination. The issues of increased rating for bilateral pes planus, compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. � 1151 for sensorimotor peripheral neuropathy, and TDIU are also being addressed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have any service-connected right foot metatarsal fractures or bilateral foot disability, and therefore denied his claims for these conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral flat feet are currently rated at 30 percent since April 12, 2011. The condition is manifested by marked inward displacement and severe spasm of the tendo achillis on manipulation.

The Veteran's bilateral flat feet were productive of extreme tenderness that was not improved by orthopedic shoes or appliances as of January 6, 2010, warranting a 50% evaluation. Prior to this date, the evidence did not meet criteria for an increased evaluation.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis and pes planus are productive of moderate foot disability, with pain but no deformity, calluses, or swelling requiring assistive devices. The current ratings for these conditions remain at 10%.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus is rated at 30 percent, effective from the date of the claim. The issue of an increased rating for his back disability remains pending and will be remanded.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was granted a 40% disability rating, effective June 18, 2009. The bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis was granted a 30% disability rating.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have a foot disability in service or within one year of separation, and there is no evidence linking his current bilateral foot disability to service. The claim for service connection was therefore denied.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and adjudication of claims related to diabetes mellitus, an increased rating for a right tibia fracture disability, and reopening of a previously denied claim for peripheral neuropathy. The TDIU claim will be held in abeyance until these issues are resolved.