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

The Veteran's left foot pes planus was found to have its origin in service, and he is now entitled to service connection.,There is no current hearing loss disability meeting VA criteria, so service connection cannot be established.,No current right knee disability has been demonstrated, thus service connection for a right knee disability cannot be granted.,The Veteran's lumbar spine strain is currently evaluated at 20 percent based on limitation of motion to flexion less than 60 degrees but not less than 40 degrees.,Hypertension is currently rated as noncompensable, with diastolic pressures below 100 and systolic pressures below 160.,Cluster headaches are currently evaluated at noncompensable, occurring less frequently than once every two months.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim to reopen his previously denied service connection for flat feet, finding that no new and material evidence had been received.

The Veteran's current left foot and ankle symptoms are related to the in-service injury of a laceration to the left foot due to a motorcycle accident, which is considered incurred in active military service.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including depressive disorder and multiple foot disabilities, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for further examinations. The issues include service connection, increased ratings, and hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current psychiatric disorder, gastrointestinal disorder, fibromyalgia, sexual dysfunction, or bilateral foot disability for which service connection can be granted. The claims are therefore denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and to ensure all relevant records are associated with his claims file. The issues of service connection for a left foot disability and residuals of a left orchiectomy will be addressed.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus with callosities and metatarsalgia was rated at 50 percent, the maximum available rating under Diagnostic Code 5276. The Board found that his symptoms were not severe enough to warrant a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's warts and bilateral pes planus and hallux valgus are at least as likely as not related to his active duty service, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have residuals of a cold injury to the feet or a back disability related to service, and therefore denied both claims.

The Board has remanded the case for additional examinations to clarify whether the Veteran's claimed foot and gastrointestinal conditions are congenital defects or diseases, and if they are diseases, whether they were present in service. The claims will be reconsidered after these examinations.

The Veteran's sinusitis, bronchitis, and tinea pedis skin disorders are all found to be service-connected. The bilateral foot hallux valgus and pes planus conditions were not found to be service-connected.

The Veteran's skin disability, tinea pedis, is currently rated as noncompensable and his bilateral pes planus is rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a compensable rating for tinea pedis or an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis and pes planus have been rated at the lowest possible level (10%) due to their mild nature, with no functional impairment noted in her recent VA examination. The conditions are not severe enough for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right foot disorder, including plantar fasciitis (previously claimed as a right foot plantar wart/nerve condition), is being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his periods of active duty for training and inactive duty for training. A VA examination is also required to determine the nature and etiology of his current right foot disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for a Travel Board hearing regarding his claims for disability ratings for patellofemoral pain syndrome of both knees and flat feet. His service connection claims for uterine fibroids and stomach conditions are being addressed in a separate docket number.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral foot disorder is not related to his active military service and denied his claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability began during his second period of active service and is related to service. The issue of bilateral pes planus was not addressed in this decision as it pertains to a different time frame.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence on file for VA to make a decision on the claims. The appellant should be afforded examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

Pseudofolliculitis barbae was granted service connection as it is presumed to have been incurred in service due to frequent shaving during active duty.,Corneal abrasion of the right eye does not meet criteria for service connection. No current disability related to this condition has been demonstrated.,Chronic left epididymitis, a residual of an in-service vasectomy, is not shown and no etiological link was found between the condition and service.,Right hand condition is not shown during or within one year of service and no current disability related to service-connected conditions has been demonstrated. No evidence supports a right hand condition being incurred in service.,Left foot sprain is not shown during or within one year of service and no current left foot disability, including bunions or plantar warts, has been demonstrated.,Diabetes mellitus was not shown during or within one year of service. No evidence supports a link between diabetes mellitus and service-connected hypertension.,Bunion of the left foot is not shown during or within one year of service and no current disability related to service-connected conditions has been demonstrated. No evidence supports a bunion condition being incurred in service.,Plantar warts of the left foot are not shown during or within one year of service and no current disability related to service-connected conditions has been demonstrated. No evidence supports plantar warts being incurred in service.,Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is not shown during or within one year of service and no etiological link was found between the condition and service.