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

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA medical records and attempting to locate service treatment records from Cecil Field, Florida. The left hand skin disability claim will also be referred to a VA examiner.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability, pes planus, or acquired psychiatric disability (depressive disorder NOS) related to his service. The claims are therefore denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional private treatment records.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for his service-connected conditions have been granted and are set at 10 percent each, effective the day after his discharge from active service in April 2008.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis has been rated at 30 percent since September 14, 2006. The rating was increased to 30 percent effective May 2, 2012.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining outstanding treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the impact of her service-connected disabilities on her ability to engage in substantially gainful employment. The TDIU claim will be readjudicated after all development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate medical opinion and other issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left foot disability is not related to his active service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the claims for hypertension, heart condition, and right foot disability. The Veteran's current conditions are not related to his service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the stomach condition claim prior to a decision being made. The Board also found that there was no current respiratory condition and thus did not find service connection for this issue.

The Veteran is shown to require the regular assistance of another person due to physical incapacity when caring for the daily personal needs of dressing or undressing himself, toileting, bathing, and keeping himself clean and presentable as a result of his service-connected right knee, ankle, and foot disabilities, and lumbar spine degenerative arthritis.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis and heel spurs were manifested by mild to moderate pain on use, with X-ray evidence of abnormality. The Board found that a 10 percent disability rating is warranted for the entire appeal period.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess the current nature and severity of her service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical evidence and to provide the Veteran with an appropriate VA examination.

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for any of the claimed disabilities, including a left shoulder disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to outstanding private medical records and incomplete information.

The Board finds that the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral pes planus was aggravated by her period of active service, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle disability, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and acquired psychiatric disorder. However, it did not reach a decision on whether these claims are well-grounded or meritorious.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current disability of bilateral pes planus, and thus denied service connection for this condition. The claim for service connection for right Achilles tendon disorder was also denied.

The Veteran's migraine headaches, left lower extremity/left ankle condition (crush injury), and bilateral pes planus are all rated at the maximum available under their respective diagnostic codes. The Board has determined that a higher rating is warranted for each of these conditions.