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

The Veteran's claims for an initial disability rating greater than 10 percent for flat feet and entitlement to a TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left hip, bilateral pes planus, and left knee disabilities. The examiner is to provide an opinion on whether these conditions are related to service or aggravated by his service-connected ilio inguinal nerve entrapment syndrome.

The Veteran's claim for residuals of cold injuries of the hands and feet (claimed as frostbite) is denied because there are no separate and distinct manifestations not already associated with service-connected conditions.,Service connection for a sinus condition, to include left-frontal sinusitis and allergic rhinitis, is denied due to lack of evidence showing an in-service injury or disease that resulted in current symptoms. The Veteran's currently-diagnosed allergic rhinitis is attributed to environmental allergens rather than military service.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis has been rated at 10 percent prior to June 29, 2013, and at 50 percent thereafter. The current rating adequately reflects the severity of her disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an examination to determine if any current lumbar spine disorder is related to service or aggravated by a service-connected left knee disability and whether any current bilateral foot disability had its onset in service. The Veteran's claims are currently pending.

The Veteran's claim for higher initial and subsequent ratings for his bilateral foot disability was denied. He is currently rated 10% for the disability since August 30, 2006.

The Veteran's multiple service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain or retain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected cervical spine disability and its impact on his ability to work. The TDIU claim will be adjudicated as part of this process.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to clarify the nature of his hernia claim and to obtain medical opinions regarding the etiology of his pes planus.

The Board has granted an initial disability rating of 10 percent for the Veteran's right upper eyelid scar, effective October 20, 2008. The Veteran was previously awarded service connection and a noncompensable rating for his bilateral pes planus.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, but has denied each claim on the merits. The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of residuals of electrical shock or second degree burns of either lower extremity. Pes planus pre-existed service and did not increase in severity during service. Shin splints are not shown to be causally related to any disease, injury, or incident during service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, as secondary to his service-connected knee or back disabilities is being remanded due to the need for additional development and an addendum opinion from a VA physician.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral pes planus worsened during service and is therefore presumed to have been aggravated by military service. As a result, the claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus is granted.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was rated at 50 percent, the highest available rating under DC 5276. The Board also granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities and non-service connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to missing service treatment records and unobtained Social Security Administration (SSA) records. The RO/AMC will also attempt to schedule a hearing for the Veteran at a VA facility closer to her home.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining service records and VA treatment records, as well as obtaining Social Security Administration (SSA) records. The Veteran will also be provided with a Statement of the Case (SOC) regarding his increased rating claims.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of any current left foot, left knee, and left hip disabilities. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to March 28, 2011 and after March 27, 2011.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for pes planus with hallux abductus of the right and left feet were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his disabilities.