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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus pre-existed service and permanently increased in severity during active service, thus granting service connection for pes planus.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for chronic rhinitis, plantar fasciitis in the left foot, and plantar fasciitis in the right foot have been dismissed as he withdrew these claims during his hearing.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining recent treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of his bilateral weak foot disability.

The Veteran's bilateral shin splints and plantar fasciitis have been granted service connection, with initial ratings of 10 percent for each condition. The Board has now determined that a higher rating of 30 percent is warranted for both conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral lower extremity and foot disabilities have been denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between the claimed conditions and his period of active military service.,A VA examination was conducted, but did not address the etiology of any foot disabilities. The examiner concluded that the right foot disability may be related to an in-service injury, while left foot disability cannot be determined without resorting to speculation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a right foot disability that is attributable to active service and therefore, service connection for this condition cannot be established.

The Veteran's plantar spur in her left ankle does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it only shows moderate limitation of motion, which is already reflected in the current 10% disability rating.

The Board found no evidence of current disabilities related to pes planus, hypertension, or tinnitus. The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was insufficient medical evidence linking these conditions to her active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral foot disability, including fourth toe arthritis, is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and evidence.

The Veteran does not have a current low back disability and the issue of service connection for this condition is denied.,The Veteran's left foot disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and the claim is therefore denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records from before December 1999 and associating a February 2014 examination report with the claims file.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for the service-connected bilateral pes planus with capsulitis is being remanded due to insufficient evidence in the record regarding the current severity of his condition and whether nonservice-connected foot disabilities are also present. The case will be readjudicated after additional development.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if any current right knee and/or foot disabilities are caused by or aggravated by service-connected left knee and back disabilities, and whether bilateral flat foot underwent worsening during active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran wishes to withdraw his appeal regarding high blood pressure. The claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and GERD have been reopened, but the effective date claim remains on appeal as the Veteran did not provide a valid reason for withdrawing it. Service connection for bilateral glaucoma is granted with an effective date of March 30, 2009.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for left hip, right hip, and low back disabilities as well as entitlement to increases in the staged ratings assigned for a postoperative right ankle disability. The effective dates for these awards are being handled separately.

The Veteran's appeals are being remanded due to the need for a hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disorder, kidney disorder, prostate disorder, bilateral pes planus, and hepatitis C. The claim for an initial disability rating higher than 50 percent for PTSD prior to February 14, 2002 was also denied. Additionally, the claim for total unemployability secondary to service-connected disability prior to February 15, 2013 is pending.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral pes planus with bunions bilaterally was denied. The initial rating of 30 percent prior to July 26, 2013 and the current 50 percent rating from that date were both denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate medical opinions and incomplete records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral foot disability or psychiatric disorder for VA purposes and therefore, service connection is denied.