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

The Board has remanded the case due to unavailability of service treatment records and failure to obtain medical records from Dr. Thomas Bolt, MD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining a VA opinion on the etiology of his sleep apnea and arranging for him to undergo an appropriate VA examination for his bilateral foot disabilities.

The Board found that the appellant's current back, shoulder, foot, and hand disabilities did not manifest during his periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) or inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA), and are not etiologically related to service. As such, service connection was denied.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was rated at 10 percent prior to March 7, 2013 and increased to 30 percent from that date.

The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection for degenerative joint disease of the left ankle, as there was no credible evidence linking it to service. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left foot disability is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for an appropriate VA examination to assess his service-connected left and right foot disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was rated at 10 percent prior to February 10, 2009. From March 5, 2012, the rating remained at 10 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis did not have its onset during service and was not related to her service-connected left hip disability. The Veteran's depression also precluded her from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, but this is not considered in determining TDIU as it does not meet the percentage requirements for TDIU based on one disability rated at least 40% disabling.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected bilateral plantar calluses warrant a rating of no more than 10 percent, as they do not meet or nearly approximate the criteria for a higher rating due to moderate impairment. Separate ratings are assigned for each foot under Diagnostic Code 5284.

The Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral first-degree pes planus with plantar fasciitis, service connection for a bilateral knee disorder and a low back disorder were denied. The Board found that the disability was at most moderate in severity.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a foot disability and an increased rating for bipolar disorder were denied. The claim for TDIU was referred to the AOJ.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran not appearing for a scheduled Travel Board hearing. Efforts must be made to verify his current address and schedule him for another hearing.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions were denied as there was no evidence of a link between his current disabilities and his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and initial ratings for various conditions, finding no current disability or evidence of a nexus to service.

The Board has determined that the appellant's service discharge was under dishonorable conditions due to willful and persistent misconduct, thus constituting a bar to VA compensation benefits for his foot disability claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral foot disability is related to his military service, and therefore grants entitlement to service connection for a bilateral foot disability. The stomach disability issue remains pending as it was not addressed in the March 2013 decision.

The Board has remanded the issues of increased ratings for left and right trapezius strain, as well as the matters of service connection for a right ankle disability and sleep apnea (claimed as due to PTSD). The other claims are being considered.

The Board finds that the Veteran's claimed disabilities are not related to service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including back disability, left foot disability, right foot disability, right knee disability, bilateral shoulder disability, and joint disability. The appeal is dismissed.