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

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left foot disabilities. The Veteran underwent a VA examination in May 2013, but the examiner did not consider all relevant evidence or provide an opinion regarding whether her right foot disability is secondary to her left foot disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have hearing loss for VA purposes in either ear, and thus service connection is denied for bilateral hearing loss. The other issues on appeal are also denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral ear infections, bilateral flat feet, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, left hip disorder, right hip disorder, low back disorder, and arthritis of the lower extremities were denied as secondary to his pre-existing pes planus. The Board found that there was no evidence of aggravation during service or post-service, and thus service connection could not be established on a secondary basis.

The Board has granted an initial 20 percent rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine since May 30, 2011. The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 10 percent and his bilateral pes planus is rated as noncompensable.

The appeal has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew their claims prior to a decision being made.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability did not manifest during service, is not causally or etiologically related to service, and is not caused by or aggravated by a service-connected disability. Therefore, the claim for service connection for a right knee disability is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected ossifying fibroma lesion, post stress fracture of the right femur is not currently disabling. The bilateral pes planus and mitral regurgitation are rated as they were prior to the most recent remand.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, erectile dysfunction, bilateral foot disability, and lumbar spine disability are not related to his active service or a service-connected condition. The claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining STRs and VA treatment records, as well as arranging for a foot disability examination and a psychiatric evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if his service-connected disabilities render him unemployable.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including her total vaginal hysterectomy and multiple spine conditions, are found to be disabling enough to prevent her from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain a new VA examination and determine if her service-connected disabilities preclude her from obtaining or maintaining any gainful employment. The case will be readjudicated after the examination.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for bilateral pes planus with fracture of the right great toe was denied as there is no evidence to support a rating greater than 10 percent prior to October 23, 2010 or greater than 30 percent beginning that date.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus and a low back disability, finding that his pes planus preexisted service and was not aggravated by service. The low back disability was also found to be unrelated to active service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for an initial, compensable rating for bilateral pes planus (previously characterized as bilateral dorsal foot strain).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board finds that she meets the criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's request for a temporary 100% evaluation for convalescence following a left foot bunionectomy is denied as the surgery was related to a non-service-connected condition (hallux rigidus disorder).

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he requested withdrawal of the appeals for increased ratings for bilateral plantar fasciitis with bilateral mild pes planus and sinusitis.

The Veteran's ankle immobilization due to service-connected conditions required him to be off work for a month, meeting the criteria for a temporary total disability rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with major depressive disorder, result in a need for aid and attendance on a regular basis to protect the Veteran from hazards or dangers incident to his daily environment.