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

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for neck, right hand, left hand, right hip, left hip, and left foot disabilities. However, the Veteran was granted service connection for a low back disability in April 2014.,The VA examiner opined that it is at least as likely as not that any current neck, right hand, left hand, right hip, left hip, and left foot disabilities are related to and/or had their onset during the Veteran's periods of service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various knee, shin splints, shoulder, finger fracture, and foot conditions have been denied. The evidence does not support the assignment of higher ratings based on current functional impairment or other diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle and foot disabilities. The case will be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the percentage requirements for a TDIU, and the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation by reason of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have any disorders of the right or left foot that are service-connected. The evidence shows that his pes planus existed prior to service and did not worsen during service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis and TDIU due to the service-connected condition was denied. The Board found that the disability did not meet or approximate criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus, right and left hallux valgus with bunion deformity and partial second toe amputation have been rated as 30 percent for bilateral pes planus and 10 percent each for right and left hallux valgus. The claims are denied.

The Veteran's kidney stones prior to January 12, 2012 did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,From January 12, 2012, her disability was rated at 10 percent and has not met the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is found to have its onset in service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition. The initial compensable rating claim for post-operative surgical excision and irradiation for adenoid cystic carcinoma of the left parotid gland remains pending.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of all issues on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examination and treatment records. The issue of an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral pes planus will be reconsidered.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus is being remanded due to the need to obtain updated treatment records and a VA examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral knee, hip, and low back disabilities are not related to his service-connected right foot disability. The evidence did not support a finding of secondary service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was rated at 10 percent prior to January 20, 2012 and increased to 30 percent from January 20, 2012. The current rating of 30 percent is considered appropriate based on the severity of his symptoms as evidenced by inward bowing of the Achilles tendon.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher initial disability ratings for his mood disorder, left and right ankle disabilities, and bilateral pes planus with hallux valgus.

The Board has granted service connection for a contusion of the medial right ankle, finding that it is related to an in-service injury. Service connection for pes planus was denied as there was no evidence of aggravation during service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his claims, including those related to increased ratings for cervical spine disorder, low back disorder, left foot disability, left ankle disorder, and right ankle disorder. The issues of service connection for a hip disorder are also inextricably intertwined with these other claims.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was aggravated by service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The Board also found that the Veteran's TDIU claim from April 2009 to June 6, 2010, was warranted due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from obtaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the AOJ for scheduling a travel board hearing. The Board will not make any determination on the merits of his claims until after this hearing.

The Veteran's bilateral foot and knee conditions are being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding their relationship to his service-connected low back disability.