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

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of a right shoulder disability or bilateral foot disability, and thus service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral pes planus and degenerative joint disease of both ankles, render him unable to follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for pes planus was granted. The claims for increased ratings for the knees and TDIU prior to September 23, 2005 were denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed bilateral foot disability and respiratory disability, including any potential exposure to herbicides or allergens during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral foot or knee disability that is attributable to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as there are no compensable ratings for any of the claimed conditions and service connection was not established for any of them.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable evaluation for palmoplantar keratoderma was granted, and he is currently rated as noncompensably (0%) disabled. For the period beginning February 11, 2014, his palmoplantar keratoderma affects more than 5% but less than 20% of his body, warranting a 10% rating under Diagnostic Code 7822.

The Veteran's claims for flat feet and nail fungus were denied as they do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. The issues of cervical spondylosis, degenerative disc disease (low back), right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, and left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome with cervical radiculopathy are also denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left foot disability, finding that new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen the claim. The Board also found that there is no medical evidence showing a link between the Veteran's current left foot disability and his active duty service.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is rated at 30 percent, and his bilateral pes planus is currently rated as 30 percent prior to November 17, 2013. Since that date, he has been granted a 50 percent rating for the left ankle disability and a 30 percent rating for bilateral pes planus effective November 17, 2013.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, which is the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 5276.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disability is related to his military service.,Service connection for a bilateral knee disability, currently diagnosed as bilateral knee strain and osteoarthritis of the knees, is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for adjustment disorder with anxiety, bilateral plantar fasciitis and flat feet, and lumbar spine osteoarthritis and L5 disk bulge. The Veteran's conditions are believed to be related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral flat feet and a skin disorder, finding no evidence of aggravation during service or any other basis for granting the claims.

The Veteran's appeal involves claims for higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss and a TDIU. The case is being remanded to obtain additional evidence, including SSA records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's kidney stone disability, which requires ongoing drug therapy for recurrent stones, is currently rated at 30 percent. The other issues on appeal are not addressed as the decision pertains to service connection and rating of kidney stones.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and sleep apnea are related to her military service, while her heart murmur, asthma, and CTS do not have a direct link. The reduction in rating for pes planus was upheld.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral pes planus did not permanently worsen beyond its natural progression during service, and thus denied her claim for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, a skin disorder, and pes planus due to lack of verified in-service stressors, chronicity of skin disorders, and no causal relationship between current symptoms and claimed in-service events.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations and the retrieval of outstanding treatment records.