Foot (incl. plantar fasciitis, flat feet) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected bilateral pes planus, right shin splint with residual knee pain, and left shin splint with residual knee pain are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his service-connected back disability, varicose veins, and pes planus have been granted. The rating for the back disability has been increased to 40 percent effective from January 1, 2014.

The Veteran's appeal has been REMANDED for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and VA treatment records. The issues of entitlement to service connection for bilateral foot and knee disabilities have also been withdrawn.

The Board has determined that the reduction in evaluations for post-operative residuals of right and left foot plantar fasciitis from 20 percent to 10 percent, effective February 1, 2011, was improper due to failure to comply with applicable regulations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation since May 1, 2009.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development due to the availability of a panel decision and the Veteran's request for a video conference hearing.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus pre-existed service and was not aggravated by service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for current VA examinations to determine the current severity of her service-connected disabilities, and for obtaining all outstanding medical records.

The Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected based on in-service noise exposure and current bilateral tinnitus. The Board finds the evidence to be in equipoise regarding whether his acquired psychiatric disability, lumbar spine disability, right lower extremity neuropathy, left lower extremity neuropathy, and right foot disability are related to service.

The Veteran's liver disorder is not service-connected as there are no current disabilities.,Bilateral hallux valgus, right Achilles enthesophyte, and bilateral pes planus were found to have increased in severity during the Veteran's extensive period of active service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral pes planus and schizophrenia. The Veteran's pre-existing bilateral pes planus was not found to be aggravated by service, while his schizophrenia claim is pending as the evidence did not establish a link between service and his current condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of her asthma, pes planus, and sleep apnea claims. The VA will seek to obtain all relevant medical records and schedule the Veteran for examinations to determine the current severity of these conditions.

The Board has determined that another remand is necessary due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a new examination. The issues of entitlement to service connection for kidney stones and right foot disability remain on appeal.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The skin disability, bilateral pes planus, left knee instability, left knee tendonitis, and right knee tendonitis are all rated under the criteria for direct service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to the RO for scheduling a videoconference hearing before a member of the Board.

The Veteran's right ankle disability, status-post fracture, has been rated at 20 percent since March 24, 2010. The Board finds that the current rating adequately reflects the severity of his condition based on limitation of motion and pain.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes, a compensable disability evaluation for hallux valgus and pes planus disabilities. The decision also noted that there was no evidence of diabetes being incurred during service or due to Anthrax vaccinations.

The Board has granted service connection for a right leg and hip condition as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected pes planus. The Veteran's current disability rating for pes planus was increased from 10 percent to 30 percent.

The Veteran seeks an earlier effective date for the grant of a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability (TDIU) from June 16, 1999. The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for increased ratings and a TDIU. The case is being remanded to obtain updated VA examinations, as well as to address the issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.