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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and denied his claim. The increased rating for bilateral pes planus is being remanded as it involves a recent examination.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis with calcaneal spurs are manifested by severe disability and have been rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations. The Board has determined that a higher rating is warranted based on the severity of his symptoms, including pain during standing and walking.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current disabilities, including arthritis of the left great toe, knee disability, foot disability, and sleep impairment, are related to his active military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's preexisting left foot fracture did not worsen during service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for asthma and tinea cruris, finding that the Veteran's conditions are at least as likely as not related to his active duty service. The other issues have been remanded due to incomplete records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for PTSD, urinary tract infection, bilateral shin splints, and back strain. The remaining 12 service connection claims were also denied.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate rationale in the previous examination report.

The Veteran's service-connected pes planus is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his disability level and symptomatology.

The Board has determined that the issues of new and material evidence have not been met in several cases, and thus those claims are not reopened. The Veteran's pes planus is adequately compensated by the current rating schedule. His right knee and foot condition is unrelated to his service-connected pes planus or any other aspect of his service. His heart disorder, eye disorders, and skin conditions are not related to his active service.

The Board found that there is no evidence of frostbite or right great toe fracture during service, and the current conditions are not related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's preexisting bilateral pes planus did not increase in severity during service, and therefore, he is not entitled to service connection for this condition. The Board also found no evidence of aggravation of his left ankle, right ankle, left knee, or right knee disabilities during service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development regarding his claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, and a bilateral foot disability. The Board will seek verification of the alleged stressors related to PTSD and obtain relevant medical records for both conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus is currently evaluated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current disability for the claimed bilateral knee, bilateral foot, or low back conditions. The Veteran's service treatment records do not show any diagnosed disabilities related to these conditions during his military service. Post-service examination and medical records also fail to establish such diagnoses.

The Veteran asserts that his current right foot disability is related to an in-service injury from a hand grenade explosion. The VA examiner found no evidence of a current disability, but noted significant osteoporosis and extensive arterial vascular calcifications. The case is REMANDED for further examination and etiological opinion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral foot disability did not have its onset in active duty service and is not otherwise related to active duty service.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was rated at 10 percent prior to August 31, 2006 and granted a 30 percent rating from that date until September 17, 2009. The Board declined to grant higher ratings for the periods before and after this time frame.

The Veteran's service connection claims for right leg, back, and left foot disabilities are denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to his military service. The claim for right knee disability is also denied due to lack of in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's cause of death, small bowel ischemia, was found to be related to his service-connected varicose veins and PVD. The Board granted service connection for the cause of death based on direct service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right foot plantar fasciitis arose during active military service and is therefore granted service connection.