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

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's disagreement with the initial ratings for his service-connected bilateral pes planus and frostbite of the bilateral hands. The issues of entitlement to a rating in excess of 30 percent for service-connected bilateral pes planus, and service connection for frostbite of the bilateral hands are now pending before the Board.

The Board has ordered new examinations for the appellant's low back and left foot disabilities, as well as a right thumb disability. The case is being remanded to obtain VA medical opinions that address whether these conditions are related to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a bilateral knee disability secondary to his service-connected bilateral pes planus with ankle pain. The Veteran's current rating for his service-connected bilateral pes planus with ankle pain remains at 30 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic bilateral foot disability is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The VA denied the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis, finding that there was no objective evidence of weight-bearing line over or medial to great toe, inward bowing of the tendo achillis, or pain on manipulation and use of the feet.

The Veteran's hepatitis B has been granted service connection and is currently rated as noncompensable.,The Veteran's plantar fasciitis of the right foot is currently rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ganglion cyst of the left wrist, tinnitus, and right foot disability was denied. The Veteran's anxiety disorder not otherwise specified with PTSD has been granted a rating of 30% prior to July 7, 2009.

The Veteran's foot disability is characterized by extreme tenderness of plantar surfaces but no marked inward displacement or severe spasm of the Achilles tendon. The current rating of 30 percent under Diagnostic Code 5284 for a severe foot injury without actual loss of use does not reflect his symptoms.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus, a bilateral leg disability, and a low back disability. The decision also found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim of service connection for bilateral pes planus.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for a back disability and has also granted the claim for service connection for a left hand disability. The appeal on the issue of service connection for a foot disability was withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus with metatarsalgia, including residuals of bilateral bunionectomy and Morton's neuroma, is shown to have developed as a result of service.,The Veteran has presented competent and credible evidence that he experienced hemorrhoids since active service.

The Board has granted service connection for a left foot disability and rhinitis, but denied service connection for a left finger disability and back disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's knee and foot disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral plantar fibromatosis with left plantar fasciitis and a left heel spur is already rated at the maximum 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 5279 for metatarsalgia, anterior Morton's Disease. The Board finds no basis to grant an increased rating.

The Veteran's atypical migraines were granted a 30% rating effective November 4, 2013. His cervical strain was denied any increase in rating, and his right foot plantar fasciitis received a 20% rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for dysrhythmia, emphysema, foot disability (athlete's foot and fungal infections), left shoulder disability, and psychiatric disability (PTSD).

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus, finding that there was no increase in severity of the preexisting condition during service and thus not warranting service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for further evaluations of his service-connected lumbar spine intervertebral disc syndrome, right lower extremity neurological deficits, left lower extremity neurological deficits, and right foot hallux valgus with pes planus.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability, pes planus, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities are found to be of such severity as to effectively preclude substantially gainful employment for which the Veteran's education and occupational experience would otherwise qualify him.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling the Veteran for examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected disabilities.