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

The Board found that the Veteran's gout and related disabilities of the feet are not service-connected, as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and NSC pension due to incomplete development of records, including VA examinations. The claims will be reconsidered after all necessary evidence is obtained.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule the Veteran for VA examinations.,The Veteran reported having various disabilities, including foot problems, sinus issues, back pain, head injuries, hand/elbow/arm pain, shoulder problems, psychiatric conditions, and a heart condition. The Board will review these claims in light of all available evidence.

The Veteran's right and left ankle disabilities are rated at 20 percent each, but his bilateral heel spurs, knee disorder, hip disorder, and low back disorder are found to be secondary to these service-connected ankle disabilities. The claims for higher initial ratings for the ankle disabilities remain denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability of bilateral pes planus, and any such disability is not related to service. The claims for low back disability, heart condition, hypertension, and vascular disease of the lower extremities are also denied as they do not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of bilateral tendonitis of the wrists and hands, plantar calcaneal spur of the left foot (secondary to lumbar spine disability), increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, DDD of the lumbar spine, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities. The TDIU claim was also denied as the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board found that the Veteran's discharge was dishonorable due to willful and persistent misconduct, which bars VA benefits. The claims for service connection for left ankle disability, flat feet, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and PTSD were all denied as they are not related to active service.

The Veteran's service-connected left foot disability with left great toe metatarsal head resection is currently rated at 30 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. His diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent and requires insulin or oral hypoglycemic agent and a restricted diet but has not required regulation of activities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative disc disease/degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, left foot pes planus with arthritis, posttraumatic arthritis of the left shoulder, and pes planus of the left foot, collectively render him unemployable.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to be incurred in service and is granted service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for a videoconference hearing before the Board, as requested by the Veteran. The appeal is not about service connection at this stage.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Board video conference hearing as requested. The issues of service connection for left foot disability and respiratory disability, including COPD due to asbestos exposure, are still under consideration.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and determining if the Veteran receives worker's compensation benefits. The TDIU portion of his claim will also be addressed.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting evidence regarding the Veteran's current condition of flat feet and defective vision, requiring further examination and review.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to the RO for further action, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The issue of service connection for all bilateral foot disabilities will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current bilateral plantar fasciitis was incurred during his active duty service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various gastrointestinal and psychiatric conditions, as well as a crushed right foot with bone spur, are granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for initial evaluations in excess of 10 percent for plantar fasciitis of the left and right feet with calcaneal spurs, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied as his conditions are not found to be related to his service-connected gunshot wound residuals.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right wrist disorder, to include carpal tunnel syndrome, and left ankle and foot disability were not incurred in service. The claims are therefore denied.