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

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have bilateral flat feet or bilateral defective vision, and therefore service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on the issues of right shoulder, right knee, left knee, bilateral eye disorder, right ear hearing loss, and sinusitis has been withdrawn.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the retirement of the VLJ who conducted his hearing. He has requested a new hearing before a different VLJ.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is rated at 30% and the residuals of bilateral foot surgery with bunions and hallux valgus are rated at 10% prior to June 19, 2009 and 10% from December 1, 2009 onwards. The Veteran's service-connected conditions have been granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, a bilateral foot disability, and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine were denied as there was no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides or other causative factors.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral foot disability was not incurred in or aggravated by military service, nor is it proximately due to, or aggravated by, a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary due to the need for additional development and consideration of the Veteran's claims, including scheduling an orthopedic specialist examination.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis was rated at 10% from June 21, 2004 to May 31, 2009 and increased to 30% effective June 1, 2009.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a bilateral foot disability that was incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus and hallux valgus were increased in rating to 30 percent effective August 17, 2012. The right foot hallux valgus was rated at 10 percent, while the left foot hallux valgus was also rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records, arranging for VA examinations, and conducting a Social and Industrial Survey.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the merits of the claims may be addressed, and the case is REMANDED for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's toe numbness and bilateral pes planus.

The Board has found that the Veteran's right carpal tunnel syndrome and right thumb arthritis are related to service. The remaining issues of entitlement to service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea, left hip disorder, right knee disability, and left foot disorder (plantar fasciitis) are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was granted a higher rating of 30 percent from June 26, 2008. The ratings for right and left foot DJD remain at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right foot plantar fasciitis and right foot heel neuritis, both claimed as secondary to a service-connected right ankle disability, have been denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development to obtain relevant medical records and determine if his current knee and left foot disabilities are related to service. The Veteran is advised that any outstanding treatment records should be submitted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected cervical spine, lumbar spine, hiatal hernia with GERD, and right foot plantar fasciitis are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of outstanding treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if the Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of reopening his pes planus and lumbosacral strain service connection claims, as well as his claim for heart disease. The left shoulder disability claim was also denied.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable evaluations for bilateral hearing loss, left foot plantar fasciitis, and a left knee disability were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings under the applicable rating criteria.