Foot (incl. plantar fasciitis, flat feet) decisions — 2015

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including VA examinations and readjudication of the claims.

The Veteran's service connection for bilateral flat feet (pes planus) was reopened, and it is established that the condition preexisted service but worsened during service. The Veteran also has a higher initial rating for lumbar strain with degenerative changes at the L5-S1 levels, with lumbar disc disease.

The Board denied the Veteran's attempt to reopen her claim for service connection for a bilateral foot disorder, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted.

The Veteran's right knee disability is not service-connected as there is no evidence of a current disability and the earliest post-service clinical evidence is more than eight years after separation from service.,The Veteran's right wrist disability (Carpal Tunnel Syndrome) is not service-connected as there is no evidence of a current disability and the earliest post-service clinical evidence is more than three decades after separation from service. The Veteran does not have a history of surgery or in-service injury that would support this diagnosis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities are of such nature and severity as to preclude him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection is sought, and there is no evidence of any in-service injury or disease. The preponderance of the evidence is against the claims for flat feet, Parkinson's disease, left leg disability, and bilateral ankle disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted TDIU benefits.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Veteran's bilateral ankle, shoulder, left knee, and back conditions are found to be related to service.,The Veteran's right knee condition is also found to be related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, low back disorder, and bilateral foot disorder have been granted. The evidence supports these findings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus was aggravated by service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition. The issue of a right leg disability is remanded as additional development is needed to determine its etiology.

The Veteran's GERD is found to be proximately due to his use of NSAIDs for service-connected pes cavus, and thus granted service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability is secondary to his service-connected foot and low back disabilities, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral pes planus did not worsen during service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's left foot disability, which includes painful accessory navicular bone and plantar fasciitis, has been rated at 20 percent since September 2004. The Board finds that the current rating of 20 percent adequately reflects the severity of the disability throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the relationship between his current disabilities and service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his request for a Board video hearing. The issues of entitlement to a temporary total rating and service connection for bilateral flat feet are pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his pes planus and skin conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment prior to July 15, 2015.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining records of ACDUTRA service and obtaining VA opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's claimed conditions and her military service.