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

The Board has remanded the case for further development to address issues of service connection for bilateral pes planus and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder. The Veteran's claims are currently in a state where additional evidence is needed from Vet Centers and medical opinions are required.

The Veteran's appeal for increased evaluations for his left foot disability was denied. For the period prior to November 3, 2011, he received a 10 percent evaluation; for the period on and after that date, he continued to receive a 10 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's appeals for an effective date earlier than July 11, 2005 for the award of service connection for plantar warts on both feet and for initial compensable ratings for plantar warts on both feet have been withdrawn.,The Veteran's appeals for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for residuals of patella replacement of the right knee with instability, a rating higher than 30 percent from August 1, 2007 for chondromalacia patella of the right knee, status post patella replacement, and an initial rating higher than 10 percent for disc protrusion L4-L5 with lumbar sacral junction disturbance have been withdrawn.,The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for chondromalacia patella of the left knee has also been withdrawn.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as her conditions did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under the applicable rating schedule.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and arranging for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's pes planus was aggravated in service and whether he currently has a back disability that is related to his pes planus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to incomplete verification of his periods of active military service, particularly in the Tennessee Army National Guard. He is also requested to clarify when he was diagnosed with diabetes, hypertension, or cardiovascular disorders.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to March 5, 2012.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder and folliculitis, as well as his claim of service connection for PTSD. The Veteran is also granted an increased rating for his left knee disorder and a compensable rating for bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including new VA examinations and consideration of his service connection claims.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder, NOS was found to be related to his active service. The Board granted service connection for this condition and remanded the remaining issues of right shoulder, left knee, and right foot disabilities.

The Veteran's postoperative intractable plantar keratosis of the right and left feet were rated at 30 percent before July 5, 2012, and from that date. The rating was granted.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis has been rated at 10 percent since November 9, 2002. The current disability is considered to be moderate in nature.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disability, specifically plantar fasciitis and heel spur syndrome, has been rated at 10 percent since the initial decision in December 2004. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the current evidence.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disorder, specifically plantar fasciitis with pes planus, status post plantar fascial release with scars, is currently rated at 20 percent for each foot prior to May 26, 2011 and the Board finds that this rating is warranted based on moderate impairment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a Board video-conference hearing on his claim of entitlement to an initial, compensable disability rating for bilateral ankle posterior tibialis tendinopathy. The Veteran has not yet offered testimony on this issue.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed due to his death while the appeal was pending.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals due to his withdrawal of those appeals.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain a more contemporaneous VA examination of his service-connected bilateral pes planus and left 5th metatarsal fracture residuals, as well as any pertinent outpatient treatment records. The case will be readjudicated after the additional development.

The Veteran's initial evaluations for his right forearm scar, left foot plantar fasciitis, and PFB have been granted. The right forearm scar received a 10 percent evaluation, the left foot condition was rated noncompensable, and PFB is currently rated at 30 percent since September 15, 2010.

The Veteran's left foot disability, characterized by pain on use, limited and painful dorsiflexion, antalgic gait, and tenderness to palpation over several areas of the foot, is currently evaluated as 20 percent disabling under Diagnostic Codes 5010-5284. The Board finds that his left foot disability more closely approximates a moderately severe injury warranting a 20 percent evaluation.