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

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis was pre-existing and not aggravated by service, or if it is etiologically related to her military service. The case will be returned for further action.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral pes planus was aggravated by his military service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran has withdrawn her appeal concerning the claims for service connection for a right foot disability and bilateral shin splints.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a foot disability other than cellulitis and pes cavus, secondary to cellulitis due to lack of evidence showing a separate disability from those already service-connected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's flat feet and calluses have their onset in service, warranting service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the combined effect of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's bilateral foot strain and pes planus with degenerative changes left foot disability has been productive of pain on prolonged standing, walking, and weightbearing throughout the appeal period. The Board finds that a rating of 20 percent is warranted based on moderate impairment.

The Board has remanded the case due to additional evidence being located in a temporary folder at the Roanoke RO. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right foot disability will be returned to the AOJ for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected residuals of a stress fracture of the left heel and obtaining all pertinent VA outpatient treatment records since February 2012.

The Veteran's service-connected granulomatous disease of the lungs is rated at a 30 percent disability rating, effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran's service-connected left foot disability and right foot disability have been rated at the lowest possible initial rating of 10 percent. The Board finds that these disabilities do not warrant a higher rating based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a medical addendum opinion.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred on September 7, 2009 at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital are not eligible for reimbursement under VA regulations because the emergency treatment was not rendered in response to a medical emergency of such nature that delay would have been hazardous to his life or health.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral flat foot disability, hearing loss disability, or cervical spine disability (upper back pain) for which service connection is warranted.,Service connection was denied for all three issues due to lack of evidence linking any diagnosed conditions to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral foot disability and shin splints were not incurred or aggravated by service, nor are they related to her service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to his hearing loss, gastrointestinal conditions, knee and elbow disabilities, as well as secondary service connection claims. The case is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing and issuance of a Statement of the Case on severance of service connection for hearing loss and secondary service connection for low back, right hip, and left hip disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, finding that the Veteran's current condition is a continuation of the same condition noted during his military service.

The Veteran's kidney disability was aggravated during service, and his current residuals of a stroke are proximately due to his now service-connected kidney disability. The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis is considered incurred during service.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus was characterized by callosities, subjective complaints of pain and numbness, tenderness on the plantar surface, and pain on manipulation, but without marked pronation or marked inward displacement and severe spasm of the Achilles tendon. The criteria for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent were not met.

The Board has remanded the case due to procedural issues, and a new hearing will be scheduled at the RO.