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

The Veteran's bilateral hip, foot, and left knee disabilities are found to be secondary to his service-connected right great toe disability. The claims for increased ratings for the right knee disability have been granted.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable initial evaluation for bilateral hearing loss has been withdrawn. The case is being remanded to determine the nature and etiology of his left foot disability, including whether it is secondary to service-connected left Achilles tendonitis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the current status of his service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining in-patient clinical records from the Balboa Naval Hospital and a VA examination to assess the current level of severity of the Veteran's plantar fasciitis. The issue of entitlement to TDIU will be deferred until these claims are resolved.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus, right ankle deltoid ligament strain, and left ankle strain have been rated based on their current manifestations. The RO has granted increased ratings for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a broken left kneecap, residuals of a broken left wrist, and left hip dislocation have been granted. The conditions are deemed to be directly related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's pre-existing pes planus was aggravated by his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left foot conditions, including plantar fasciitis and neuroma-related symptoms, are as likely as not related to her service-connected left foot disability. The gastrointestinal disorders (rectocele and cystocele) are also found to be related to her active duty service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus and a heart disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling the Veteran for VA examinations to assess her pes planus, hip, knee, and back disabilities.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for headaches as residuals of a TBI incurred in service. However, his claims for bilateral flat feet and hearing loss have not been decided.,Service connection was denied for bilateral flat feet due to the absence of evidence showing a current disability meeting VA criteria.

The Veteran's appeal for increased evaluations for pes planus has been granted, with a noncompensable disability rating prior to February 22, 2014 and a 30 percent disability rating since that date.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for appropriate VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's right and left shoulder disabilities are not service-connected as they did not manifest during or within one year after service, and there is no evidence of arthritis in the shoulders prior to 2007.,The Veteran's current left foot disability (gout) was diagnosed in 2004 and is less likely than not related to treatment for foot pain with Indocin in 1993 during service.

The Veteran's service-connected left foot plantar wart results in pain when stepping on it, but does not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Veteran's pes planus was aggravated by service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The Board also found that other foot conditions (plantar fasciitis, heel pain, athlete's foot, calluses, second toe deformity of the right foot, arthritic changes) are not related to service or caused by pes planus.

The Board denied the motion alleging CUE in both the September 1989 and July 2009 decisions. The decision in the September 1989 case was not challenged, while the July 2009 decision denying a rating increase for pes planus with bunions is considered without error.

The Veteran's claims for various conditions were denied as they are not related to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PFB was granted a 10 percent evaluation effective December 14, 2011. His bilateral foot disability has been rated as moderately severe and is currently assigned a 20 percent rating.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae was rated at 10 percent prior to February 23, 2012 and granted a 30 percent rating effective from that date.,For the period after February 23, 2012, the Veteran's right foot condition with tendonitis of the extensor tendons and pes planus with bunions was rated at 30 percent.