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

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is manifested by pronounced flatfoot with marked pronation, tenderness of plantar surfaces of the feet, and pain that does not improve with orthopedic shoes or appliances. The Board has determined a 50% disability rating is warranted for this condition between October 22, 2008 and April 4, 2012.

The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral pes planus did not increase in severity during service and thus, denied his claim for service connection.

The appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a Travel Board hearing. The Veteran has requested such a hearing and is willing to appear in person.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis and corns between the fourth and fifth toes were caused by his service. For the period from August 22, 2005 to March 16, 2010, the criteria for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for PTSD have not been met.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected knee and foot disabilities due to procedural issues, including a withdrawal of an appeal regarding tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal is being returned to the RO for rescheduling a videoconference hearing due to his inability to attend the originally scheduled hearing.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence received since the November 2011 statement of the case, and further development is required before a final decision can be made.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hallux valgus was not aggravated by service, but her pes planus with symptoms of plantar fasciitis is attributable to active duty service and warrants service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus does not meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address the claims of service connection for bilateral foot disability and cervical spine disability. The VA examiner will need to provide opinions regarding whether the current disabilities are related to service, including consideration of aggravation.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a chronic foot disability, bilateral hearing loss, back disability (including arthritis), deviated tracheobronchial tree, or chronic body pain condition during service. The Veteran's current diagnoses are not linked to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected flat feet. The issues include seeking an increased rating for flat feet, entitlement to convalescence benefits following surgery, and TDIU.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral pes planus and sleep problems have been granted. The Board finds that the Veteran's pre-existing pes planus was aggravated by his active duty service, while his current sleep problems are less likely than not incurred during or caused by an in-service injury, event, or illness.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to new evidence received since the last VA examination and for consideration of other applicable diagnostic codes in evaluating the Veteran's left knee disability. The claims for higher ratings for a left knee disability and hypertension, as well as service connection for a left foot disability, are also being considered.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis and pes planus have been rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that this rating is not warranted based on her current symptoms.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development due to the need for a new examination of his service-connected hypertension.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for his knee disabilities, but granted separate 10 percent ratings for instability of each knee.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling of a VA examination and obtaining treatment records from Dr. S.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral foot disability is not related to his active duty service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's left foot injury residuals are not related to service, and the preponderance of evidence is against a finding that they are secondary to any service-connected disability.