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

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability. The Veteran's claim for service connection for plantar fasciitis of the right foot, left knee DJD with strain, and bilateral hearing loss is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than July 15, 2011 for the increase to 30 percent disability for pes planus was granted. The effective date is set at February 18, 2011.

The Board has found new and material evidence to reopen the claim of service connection for bilateral knee disorders. The Veteran's claims for other conditions, including cardiovascular disorder, muscle pain, joint pain, abnormal weight loss, respiratory symptoms, and sleep disturbances, have been denied as not supported by evidence of record.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disability, characterized as bilateral plantar keratoses and pes planus, has been rated at 30 percent since May 3, 2012. The rating is based on the severity of his symptoms and impairment.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and requires a supplemental statement of the case.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for bilateral fasciitis, status post left plantar fasciectomy with heel spur resection was denied. The claim for an evaluation in excess of 40 percent for gout, active process, affecting the bilateral knees and right great toe is pending.

The Board has granted service connection for hammertoes of both feet and plantar warts of the left foot, finding that these conditions are secondary to service-connected bony exostoses.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, Social Security Administration records, and opinions from the May 2012 VA examiners regarding service connection for DM and peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and panic disorder without agoraphobia, bicipital tendinitis of the bilateral shoulder, chondromalacia patella of the bilateral knee, sinusitis, hypertension, tension headaches, pes planus, and hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux disease, render him unemployable for the period since March 25, 2011.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a comprehensive examination of the feet to determine if sesamoiditis and heel spur syndrome are related to her service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, scheduling a VA examination, and readjudicating the claims.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for gastroenteritis, headaches, and a left foot disability. However, new evidence does not establish that these conditions are related to military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the claims for service connection for pes planus and a skin condition. The Veteran's pes planus is considered to have existed prior to his military service, and there is no evidence showing it was aggravated by service. For the skin condition claim, while the Veteran testified about continuous post-service skin problems, the evidence does not establish a direct link between his in-service treatment for acne and his current condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, sarcoidosis, diverticulosis, and plantar fascial and heel pain have been denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal to establish that his substantive appeal was timely filed regarding the May 2007 rating decision was denied. The Board also found that his appeals for earlier effective dates and increased ratings were not timely filed.

The Veteran's right plantar fasciitis with pes cavus is rated at 10 percent, the maximum schedular rating available for this condition. The evidence does not show symptoms that warrant a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current visual impairment is attributed to myopia with astigmatism, which are not diseases or disabilities for which VA compensation may be awarded. Therefore, service connection for her bilateral myopia is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for flat feet and athlete's foot, finding that there was no clear and unmistakable evidence showing a pre-existing condition worsened by military service.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus has not been manifested by pronounced symptoms, including marked pronation, extreme tenderness of plantar surfaces of the feet, marked inward displacement, and severe spasm of the tendo Achilles on manipulation that is not improved by orthopedic shoes or appliances. As such, a rating in excess of 30 percent for bilateral pes planus has not been met.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral pes planus, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. Bilateral pes planus was presumed to have existed prior to service. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not established as they are not considered presumptively related to military service.