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

The Board denied the claim for service connection of pes planus, concluding that the condition preexisted service and was not aggravated by active duty.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is currently rated at 30 percent, effective December 21, 2012. The service connection for this condition has been granted.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral stress fractures and pes planus. The case is now remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records from Dayton and Springfield facilities, private medical records, and SSA disability benefits administrative decision.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability is granted as incurred in service. The Board found the evidence to be at least in equipoise and thus granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left and right foot disabilities are not related to his active military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's heart disorder, including endocarditis resulting from an aortic root aneurysm and valve replacement, was not incurred in or aggravated by military service. The claim for left ankle and foot disability is pending.

The Veteran's claimed conditions, including tremors of the feet, hands, migraine headaches, diabetes mellitus, adrenal gland disability, renal disability, hypertension, heart disease, lung cancer, and pes planus, were not incurred in service or due to exposure to herbicides. The claims are denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as he does not have a current disability. The claims for acquired psychiatric disorder, IBS, shortness of breath, and bilateral pes planus are remanded for further development.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus and hallux valgus/bunions were not incurred or aggravated by military service, as they preexisted his service. The remaining foot disabilities are denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left foot disability, including pes planus and foot drop, began during service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is currently evaluated at a 30 percent rating, which corresponds to moderate impairment. The most recent VA examination did not find any objective evidence of marked pronation, extreme tenderness of plantar surfaces, or severe spasm of the Achilles tendon.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral flat feet disability has been manifested by characteristic callosities, swelling on use, accentuated pain on use, and objective evidence of marked deformities (moderate pronation), without objective evidence of extreme tenderness of the plantar surfaces of the feet or marked inward displacement and severe spasm of the tendo achillis on manipulation. The Veteran's disability has been rated as 30 percent disabling.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for post-operative compartment syndrome of the left lower extremity, gastroesophageal reflux disease with diarrhea, and plantar fasciitis with heel spurs of both feet have been granted at a 10 percent level. The appeal is resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing due to his failure to appear at the scheduled hearing. The issues of entitlement to an initial compensable disability evaluation for bilateral pes planus deformity and service connection for a left elbow disorder are pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine if his pes planus and bilateral ankle condition were aggravated by service or pre-existed service.

The Board has denied service connection for a bilateral foot disability, bilateral eye disability, and circulatory disability of the lower extremities due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and awarded an initial 10 percent rating for bilateral pes planus effective from August 2, 2010.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and providing the Veteran with a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including knee disabilities, foot disability, hearing loss, and eye disability. The decision also noted that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating for his right ear hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right foot disability is secondary to his service-connected low back disability, and thus grants service connection for this condition.