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

The Board has determined that the Veteran wishes to withdraw his appeal for an initial compensable rating for hypertension. The claim of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis is denied as there are no questions of fact or law remaining before the Board.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a video conference hearing at the RO in Louisville, Kentucky.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the right foot and bilateral plantar fasciitis are service connected, with the latter being aggravated by his service-connected plantar warts.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded for additional development to obtain complete treatment records and a new VA examination that takes into consideration the additional records. The case will be further adjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's hypertension and plantar fasciitis have been rated appropriately, with no need for higher ratings at this time.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for further development and examination, including a VA examination to address the credibility of the Veteran's statements regarding service events and symptoms.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU rating for accrued benefits purposes based on an earlier effective date of May 6, 1988, due to his service-connected bilateral flat feet with bunions and calluses. The Board found that the evidence in the file at the time of the Veteran's death showed he was unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation by reason of this disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral fallen arches, sleep apnea, and GERD due to incomplete or insufficient opinions in the previous VA examinations. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral pes planus is granted. The Board finds that the evidence reasonably supports that the Veteran has bilateral pes planus which was first noted in service and has persisted since.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right foot disability, to include as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fibromatosis is found to be due to service, and her claim for service connection for a bilateral foot disability (including pes planus) is reopened. The issue of service connection for bilateral pes planus remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal for higher initial ratings on several service-connected conditions has been granted. The highest rating of 20 percent is assigned for left lower extremity radiculopathy, with the remaining conditions receiving their respective 10 percent ratings.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for pes planus is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of outstanding treatment records.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is found to be etiologically related to his service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected right foot plantar fasciitis has been productive of pain, weakness, stiffness, swelling, and fatigue on prolonged standing, walking, and weight bearing throughout the appeal period. The RO granted a 10 percent rating effective November 18, 2012.

The Veteran's hypertension, myopathic syndrome and muscle disorder, and diabetes mellitus type II were not incurred during a period of active duty service or within one year of discharge.,Hyperlipidemia is considered a laboratory finding and does not qualify as a disability for VA purposes.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claims of service connection for sinusitis and a low back disorder, but remanded the issue of service connection for pes planus due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations to determine if he has these conditions related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess his right ankle disability, including any related secondary conditions. The claim will be reconsidered based on the updated evidence.

The Board denied service connection for pes planus and denied increased ratings for patellofemoral pain syndrome of the left knee and early posttraumatic osteoarthritis of the right knee, finding that there was no evidence to support a worsening during service or aggravation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including TBI and headaches, were denied as the evidence did not support a nexus to service.