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

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the etiology of his bilateral pes planus with hammertoe deformities and heel spurs, as well as his obstructive sleep apnea. The examiner will need to address whether these conditions are related to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining clarification from the Veteran regarding his treatment and where he received treatment in service. The Veteran is also required to provide information about his current treatment for sciatic nerve issues and lower back pain.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board found that an extra-schedular rating was not warranted. The TDIU issue was also denied as his disability did not present such an exceptional or unusual disability picture to warrant referral for consideration of an extra-schedular evaluation.

The Veteran's right foot disability, characterized by painful motion, tenderness, instability, and weakness, has been rated at 20% since May 15, 2009.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left wrist and left foot disabilities have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for either condition during the periods in question.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral knee and foot disabilities, as well as whether they are related to service. The case will be remanded for further action.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right eye disorder, diagnosed as traumatic glaucoma, is related to an injury incurred during military service and granted entitlement to service connection for this condition. The remaining issues of entitlement to service connection for a right foot disability, left shoulder disability, and left fourth finger disability are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus, hyperpronated feet, and calcaneal spurs are a congenital defect that existed prior to service. The condition did not worsen during service or due to any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects the severity of her disability.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for an examination and proper notice regarding secondary service connection. The Veteran's claims for left knee disability and bilateral foot disability are being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder and multiple musculoskeletal conditions, have rendered her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including heart disorder, diabetes mellitus, fibromyalgia, depression, arthritis of the shoulders, hands, and hips, memory loss (small vessel brain disease), headaches, macular degeneration, dry eyes, and flat feet have been denied. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions are related to service or manifest within one year of separation.

The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected right foot disability does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent, as his symptoms do not more nearly approximate the criteria for higher ratings under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for further development of his service connection claims.

The Veteran's right and left plantar fasciitis are both rated at 30 percent, the highest schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 5284 for other foot injuries.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis and assigned a noncompensable rating, but the Veteran is seeking an initial compensable rating. The VA examiner found that the Veteran's foot disabilities have been stable with improvement from orthotics, resulting in a 10% rating under Diagnostic Code 5284.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including scheduling a VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected psychiatric and pes planus disabilities on his ability to work.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current plantar fasciitis of the left foot was incurred in service and granted service connection for this condition. The claim for service connection for plantar fasciitis of the right foot is remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hypertension, type II diabetes mellitus, left foot pes planus with plantar callus, and bilateral hearing loss are all granted. The Veteran had preexisting left foot pes planus that was aggravated by service, and his current bilateral hearing loss is related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis is manifested by pain when walking and standing, and moderate tenderness during palpation and manipulation. The criteria for a disability rating of 10 percent for plantar fasciitis for the left foot are met; the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent are not met.