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

The Veteran's low back, right shoulder, bilateral hip, and left foot disabilities are being remanded for further examination and opinion to determine if they are secondary to his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus with bunions was granted a 30 percent rating effective November 11, 2010. The appeal for an earlier effective date for dependency allowance and retroactive dependency allowance award were denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's pes planus, a pre-existing condition noted at entrance into service, was not permanently aggravated by service. The claim for an increased rating of dysthymic disorder is remanded as the Veteran has contended his symptoms have worsened since the last VA examination in April 2009.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus, pes varus/valgus, plantar fasciitis, and calcaneal bone spurs, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability or that any pre-existing conditions were aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral pes planus due to further development being necessary.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for pes planus is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and further development of the evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected Raynaud's syndrome has been granted a 40 percent disability rating since November 19, 2012.,Prior to that date, the Veteran was rated noncompensably (0%) disabled for her Raynaud's syndrome.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder from July 22, 2004 to December 11, 2008 was rated at 50 percent. From December 12, 2008, the rating for PTSD with secondary major depressive disorder remains at 50 percent.

The Veteran's low back disorder is not service-connected and there is no evidence of arthritis or other chronic disease in the initial post-service year. The current degenerative joint and disc disease is not related to the service-connected pes planus with hammertoes, Morton's metatarsalgia, and right hallux rigidus.,The Veteran does not have a currently diagnosed bilateral knee disorder that is attributable to or related to service or etiologically related to the service-connected pes planus with hammertoes, Morton's metatarsalgia, and right hallux rigidus. The Veteran also does not have bilateral hearing loss within VA's definition.,The Veteran's refractive error of the eye was not subject to inservice superimposed disease or injury.

The Board has determined that the appellant's service-connected bilateral foot disability is at least as likely as not related to his period of active duty for training, and thus grants the claim.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and left ankle injury with pes planus were denied as there was no evidence of ankylosis or other conditions warranting a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic foot disorder in service or for many years thereafter, and concluded that the Veteran's current bilateral foot disability is not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA clinical records and scheduling an examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's bilateral pes planus. The issues on appeal are TDIU and a rating in excess of 30 percent for bilateral pes planus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus was aggravated during his service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current foot disability related to service, and thus denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left foot disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to various disabilities, including hearing loss, elbow and knee conditions, spine disorders, foot problems, and a scar. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis and heel spurs is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including verification of her Reserve service periods and obtaining relevant medical records. A VA examination will be scheduled to determine if her current conditions are related to her Reserve service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss, tinnitus, and flat feet.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a bilateral foot condition other than pes planus, and there is no evidence of a leg disorder to support service connection. The claims are denied.

The Veteran's appeal was not timely filed, as he did not submit a substantive appeal within the required 60-day period following receipt of the Statement of the Case (SOC).