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

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for depression, cervical spine disability, thoracolumbar spine disability, right foot plantar fasciitis and left foot plantar fasciitis were denied. The RO assigned non-compensable ratings to these disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's GERD is rated at 30 percent effective May 19, 2009. The Board finds that the evidence supports a higher rating for GERD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for bilateral pes planus and denied a compensable rating for onychomycosis. The Veteran did not submit new and material evidence to reopen the pes planus claim, and the onychomycosis was found to be less than 5% of exposed body areas or requiring intermittent systemic therapy.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for left foot plantar callosities, and thus the appeal is denied.

The Board found no evidence of a lumbar spine or bilateral foot disorder in service, and the VA examinations did not link these conditions to service.,Both the Veteran's lumbar spine condition and bilateral foot disorder were diagnosed many years after separation from service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of flat feet or fallen arches, and therefore service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for bilateral pes planus with bunions were denied. The RO granted service connection and assigned a 10 percent disability rating effective June 9, 2000, and a 30 percent disability rating effective September 8, 2010. A 50 percent rating was granted from July 26, 2013.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including left and right ankle disorders, low back disorder, scar from a laceration of the index finger, chronic hypersomnolence, and bilateral hearing loss, have been denied. The initial ratings for plantar fasciitis of the left foot remain at 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to report for a scheduled Board hearing. He was not provided adequate notice of the hearing and needs another opportunity to testify.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis is found to be causally related to active service, and the claim for service connection for this condition is granted. The claims for left hand carpal tunnel syndrome and a lung disability are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for allergic rhinitis and bilateral pes planus, as well as his claim for a TDIU based on these conditions, were denied by the RO. The Board found that the current evaluations adequately reflect the severity of the disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left foot plantar fasciitis and hemorrhoids were denied due to his failure to report for a scheduled VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus with hallux valgus, finding that there was no clear and unmistakable evidence showing permanent aggravation of the preexisting condition during service beyond its natural progression.

Since the initial grant of service connection, the Veteran's bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis has been primarily manifested by objective findings of pain on manipulation of the feet with subjective complaints of pain, cramping, fatigue of the feet with functional loss that more nearly approximates severe symptoms; pronounced symptoms have not been shown.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD and an increased rating for bilateral pes planus. The Veteran's claim for GERD was not granted as secondary to his service-connected disabilities, while his claim for a higher rating for pes planus was also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of a left ankle injury are rated at 10 percent, and his service-connected left foot heel spur and plantar fasciitis, post-operative is currently rated as 10 percent.,Both conditions have been granted compensable ratings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus and left hip disorder are service-connected, with no issues related to exposure or presumption of certain conditions. The decision grants both claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral foot disability and diabetes mellitus, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's pes planus did not worsen in service beyond a normal progression and denied his claim for service connection.