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

The Veteran's claims are being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to address the etiology of any current left foot disability and an evaluation of his service-connected right ankle and right foot disabilities.

The case is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine the functional impairment caused only by the Veteran's service-connected bilateral plantar warts, and for further development.

The Board found that the Veteran's right and left ankle disabilities, as well as his right and left foot disabilities, were not incurred in or related to service.

The Veteran's bilateral foot, knee, and left wrist disabilities are found to be related to his active service. The remaining issues of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral ankle disability, bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral elbow disability, and back disability are remanded for further development.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus, right wrist tendonitis, and residuals of a left thumb injury. The evidence received since the September 2004 rating decision relates to these conditions and raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating such claims.,Service connection is granted for bilateral pes planus, right wrist tendonitis, and residuals of a left thumb injury on the merits.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right ear hearing loss disability is denied. The initial rating of 10 percent prior to November 12, 2012 for the service-connected bilateral pes planus, metatarsalgia, calcaneal spurring with heel spur syndrome is denied. An increased rating of 30 percent from November 12, 2012 to the effective date of November 12, 2012 for the service-connected bilateral pes planus, metatarsalgia, calcaneal spurring with heel spur syndrome is granted.

The Board found no evidence of a foot disability in service and concluded that the Veteran's current flat feet are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and his case is dismissed.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is currently rated at 30 percent, which the Board finds adequate given the severity of her condition as described in recent VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for flat feet, bilateral ankle disabilities, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities. The effective date for these conditions is September 19, 2006.

The Board has found that the Veteran does not have current plantar fasciitis, anemia or left wrist joint pain to support service connection claims.

The Veteran's appeal for nonservice-connected pension has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Board incorrectly applied the evidentiary standard in finding that the Veteran's preexisting pes planus did not worsen during service. The Court found this error was clear and unmistakable, leading to a reversal of the decision.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claim of service connection for a bilateral foot disability and granted it. The Veteran's hearing loss is also considered, but no new rating was assigned as there were no changes in his existing conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and providing a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's knee and foot disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus was granted. The Board found that the pre-existing pes planus worsened during service and is therefore considered aggravated, warranting service connection. For major depressive disorder, the Board found no evidence to support a direct relationship with service but noted the Veteran's credible assertions of in-service stress leading to depression.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic disability of either foot in service or for years thereafter, and the preponderance of the evidence is against a finding that the Veteran's current bilateral foot disability is related to an event, injury, or disease in service. The claim was denied.

The Veteran's flat feet and high arches were not caused by her service, so she is denied entitlement to service connection for these conditions.

The Board has scheduled the Veteran for a videoconference hearing, but due to his failure to report, the case is being returned to the Board for further action.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus, and no other foot disorder was identified at the Veteran's hearing before the Board in February 2013. The record also does not support a relationship between any other foot disability and service.