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

The Board found that the Veteran's neck, wrist, hand, and right foot disabilities are not service-connected. The back disability was granted a 20% rating.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance/housebound benefits was denied as he does not meet the criteria for such benefits due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a VA examination to evaluate her bilateral pes planus after daily use, and the reduction from 50 percent to 10 percent of her rating is also under review.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus with Achilles and posterior tibial tendonitis is currently rated at 50 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted on either schedular or extraschedular grounds.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death before a decision was made by the Board.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus was incurred in service, but his left shoulder disorder is not related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and SSA records, as well as a new VA examination to assess his employability due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and providing the Veteran with a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected bilateral shin splints and pes planus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion, as well as notification of what evidence is needed to substantiate her secondary service connection claim.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for an appropriate VA examination to determine the current severity of her service-connected bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis, and then for readjudication of her increased rating claim.

The Board has remanded the claims due to incomplete service treatment records and a need for further development.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral flat feet has been granted. The Board finds that the competent evidence of record establishes a nexus between the Veteran's current flat feet disability and his active service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral pes planus, bilateral ankle strain, a psychiatric disorder (likely PTSD), lumbar strain, hypertension, and migraines. The issues have been resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for the issues of entitlement to service connection for bilateral pes planus and for bilateral knee disability secondary to bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's representative argues that the Veteran's current flat feet condition is secondary to his service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis and ankle strain. The Board agrees and finds it necessary to schedule a VA examination to clarify findings of 'no significant pes planus' and determine whether the Veteran currently has flat feet, with an opinion on its etiology.

The Veteran's pre-existing bilateral pes planus was made chronically worse by active military service, and the Board finds that he is entitled to service connection for this condition.

The Board finds that the Veteran's service connection claims for knee, cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, and pes planus disabilities are denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and her military service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are likely due to noise exposure during service. Service connection is granted for these conditions. The Board also finds that his claimed foot disorders, low back disorder, hip disorder, knee disorder, and ankle disorder are not shown to be related to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disability, left foot disability, sinusitis, and heart disability are not related to service or service-connected conditions. The claims for these disabilities were denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claim for service connection for pes planus, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.