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

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left hip and right foot disabilities were denied. The initial rating for right hip osteoarthritis was granted at 10%. Effective dates for the grants of service connection for left first metatarsophalangeal joint, right knee, and left knee osteoarthritis are not established.,The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for right lower extremity lymphedema was granted. The effective date for this grant is June 13, 2006.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have residuals of a right foot fracture during service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions have been denied multiple times. New evidence submitted since previous decisions is not considered new and material, thus the applications to reopen are denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for pes planus as he failed to report for a scheduled VA examination without good cause.

The Veteran's plantar fasciitis of the right and left feet have not been found to meet or approximate criteria for a higher initial disability rating.

The Board found no evidence of a current bilateral foot disorder or pes planus that was incurred in service, including as due to cold weather injury. The Veteran's current conditions are attributed to natural progression and other non-service-connected factors.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for service-connected bilateral pes planus is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional medical records.

The Board found that there was no evidence of a pre-service bilateral pes planus disability and that the Veteran's current bilateral pes planus is not related to service. The Board also determined that his other foot disabilities are not related to service.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is found to be etiologically related to his active service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The issue of an increased disability rating for allergic rhinitis is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

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

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral foot disorders are not causally related to his active duty service and may not be presumed to have been incurred therein.

The Veteran's left foot disability, characterized as moderately severe with pain and swelling, is now rated at 20 percent effective January 13, 2010.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for new examinations regarding his service-connected skin and foot disabilities, as well as changes in medication.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pes planus and hypertension were not incurred or aggravated during active service, thus denying the claims for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral foot disability, but the Court vacated this decision and remanded it to the RO.

The Veteran's bilateral foot plantar fasciitis has been rated at 30 percent since May 7, 2011. The condition is severe and causes significant pain and functional impairment.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus is currently rated at 50 percent, the maximum schedular rating available under DC 5276. The Board finds that his symptoms are consistent with pronounced flatfoot and warrant this highest rating.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus and right knee disorder were not shown to have been incurred or aggravated by service, and the Board found no aggravation of pre-existing conditions during service.

The Veteran's left foot disability, specifically her plantar fasciitis, was found to be productive of a level of functional impairment due to pain that more nearly approximated moderate muscle injury prior to February 19, 2009. The claim for an increased rating is granted.

The Board has determined that there is no current evidence of sinusitis, left ankle disability, or left foot plantar fasciitis. The Veteran's claims for these conditions are therefore denied.