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

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral pes planus and a neurological disorder.

The Board has ordered the RO/AMC to obtain all of the appellant's VA treatment records and schedule him for a VA podiatry examination. The case will be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the etiology of her foot disorders and readjudication after any additional evidence is received.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches and bilateral pes planus, finding that the Veteran's symptoms first began during his active service.

The Veteran's service-connected pes planus, right foot has not been manifested by moderate symptoms including weight-bearing line over or medial to the great toe, inward bowing of the tendo achillis, and pain on manipulation and use. As a result, his claim for an initial compensable disability rating is denied.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current disability related to service for the claimed conditions. Service connection was not granted for tinnitus, but denied for all other claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for pes planus was previously denied in a May 1970 rating decision. The current claim, filed in June 2007, has not presented new and material evidence to reopen the claim.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lower back. The claim for DIC benefits is moot as a result. The earlier effective date claim for TDIU award resulting in accrued benefits was denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance and entitlement to specially adapted housing as his service-connected disabilities do not render him in need of regular aid and attendance or result in loss of use of extremities, blindness, or full thickness burns.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus and right foot disability were not service-connected, and thus denied both claims. The decision also noted that there was no evidence of herbicide exposure during service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional medical records. The Veteran seeks an increased rating for his service-connected plantar wart of the right foot, but the current evidence does not provide sufficient information on the severity or nature of this condition.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for left and right knee disabilities, left and right ankle disabilities, and hypertension were dismissed due to withdrawal. The Veteran does not have moderate limitation of motion in his ankles or any significant pulmonary symptoms related to sarcoidosis. His hypertension requires continuous medication but does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran does not currently have a disability of the right foot, and therefore service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis and found that the Veteran's PTSD warrants a higher rating, but denied other claims including increased ratings for lumbar spine disability and TDIU.

The Veteran's left foot disability, including a left ankle sprain, hammertoe, and pes planus, is being remanded for further development to determine if the condition was aggravated by service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are sufficient to meet the criteria for a TDIU rating, as his combined disability rating is at least 90 percent and he has been found unable to secure or follow any form of substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's posterior subcapsular cataracts are presumed to have been incurred during service due to ionizing radiation exposure. His flat feet were also incurred during service.