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

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral plantar fasciitis was granted, and he is currently receiving a 10 percent disability rating.,Service connection for a coccyx disability was also granted.

The Veteran's pilonidal cyst was incurred in active service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for bilateral fasciitis, status post left plantar fasciectomy with heel spur resection, was denied as the disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on the current evidence.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for major depressive disorder was denied. The Board granted separate initial evaluations of 10% each for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis and anterior compartment fascial release, effective from the date of separation from service (January 2007). The issue of TDIU is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for additional examinations and to obtain relevant medical records, as well as to determine the nature and etiology of any current disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, cervical spondylosis, bilateral upper extremity disabilities, post-operative gynecomastia, tinnitus, rotator cuff tendinopathy of the left shoulder, rotator cuff tendinopathy of the right shoulder, and bilateral plantar fasciitis, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The VA Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral foot disability is not related to his service-connected residuals of a right fibula fracture and did not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional treatment records. The issue of entitlement to a higher initial rating for bilateral pes planus remains on appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis warrants a 10 percent evaluation, effective from March 1, 2005.

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted. The July 1971 rating decision denying service connection was final.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus and left pinky finger injury with residual fixed flexion deformity do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA disability evaluation criteria.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new examination to assess the current severity of his bilateral pes planus and right wrist disability.

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

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher 30 percent rating is warranted based on objective evidence of severe symptoms.

The Veteran's service-connected left navicular bone deformity status post left foot injury is manifested by pain and an abnormal gait sufficient to result in moderately severe foot injury, warranting a rating of 20 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for an additional VA examination to separate symptoms due to service-connected disability from those due to non-service-connected disability, including lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed bilateral shoulder, bilateral foot, and right heel disabilities are not related to his active service. The evidence does not show an in-service injury or disease, nor is there any competent medical opinion linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disability was denied. The Board found no evidence of a current left shoulder disability and the VA examination did not reveal any such disability.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for bilateral plantar fasciitis and lumbosacral strain was denied. The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis is currently rated at 20 percent, effective November 3, 2007.

The Veteran's pes planus, metatarsal calluses, and degenerative arthritis of the left foot are found to be service-connected. The Veteran also has service-connected cervical radiculopathy of the left upper extremity. Service connection is granted for these conditions.