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

The Board has determined that the RO failed to adequately notify the Appellant as required under VCAA and is therefore remanding the case for further action.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for his bilateral foot disorders is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and development of evidence.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral pes planus is granted. However, the claim for fungal infection of the feet is denied.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is severe, with marked deformity and swelling on use. The VA has granted a higher rating of 30% since June 18, 2012.

The Board has determined that the RO failed to adequately notify the Appellant as required under VCAA and is therefore remanding the case for further action.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for examinations to assess his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and development are necessary to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection.

The Board denied entitlement to a higher rating for bilateral pes planus and exostosis of the foot, finding that the current ratings adequately reflect the severity of these conditions.

The Board denied all issues on appeal, including service connection for depression, dental trauma, bilateral foot disability, and back disability. The Veteran's right total knee arthroplasty was rated at 30 percent from July 1, 2009, and the left knee arthritis/patellar tendonitis was rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's osteoarthrrtis and gout of the first MTPPJ space of the right and left foot, hallux valgus of the right and left foot, bilateral pes planus with bunions and status post plantar fasciitis, and gout, degenerative joint disease (DJD), and residuals of a fracture of the lateral malleolus of the right ankle are all rated as 20 percent for osteoarthrrtis and gout of the first MTPPJ space of the right and left foot. The Veteran's hallux valgus, bilateral pes planus with bunions and status post plantar fasciitis, and gout, degenerative joint disease (DJD), and residuals of a fracture of the lateral malleolus of the right ankle are all rated as 10 percent.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left and right leg shin splints, bilateral pes planus, and service connection for bilateral knee disorders. The evidence did not support reopening of the previously denied claim for bilateral knee disorders.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding service connection for a bilateral foot disability and asthma, as well as increased ratings for right knee osteochondromatosis and degenerative arthritis of the knees. The Board has dismissed these issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral pes planus is incurred during active service and grants service connection for this condition. The issue of whether the Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis is secondary to his bilateral pes planus remains pending.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a currently diagnosed left hip disorder, bilateral leg disability (other than plantar fasciitis and numbness), or upper extremity numbness.,VA examination in August 2011 did not find any current diagnoses for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further evidentiary development, including obtaining private treatment records from Dr. Dodson and Trinity Regional Physical Therapy.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral knee and foot disorders were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent for any of the disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus has been rated at 30 percent since August 23, 2012. The rating is based on the criteria for moderate to severe pes planus with objective evidence of marked deformity and swelling.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule him for a video hearing. The issues on appeal include service connection claims and reopening of previous claims.

The Board found that new evidence did not reopen the Veteran's claim for right foot disability. Service connection for left and right hip disabilities secondary to service-connected pes planus was also denied. However, the Veteran received an initial compensable rating (10%) for hypertension.

The Board has determined that the appellant's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain and maintain gainful employment, and a total disability rating for compensation based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disorders is granted.