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

The Board has reopened the claims of entitlement to service connection for a right shoulder disability, left wrist disability, upper back disability, mid-to-low-back disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, right ankle disability, and PTSD. The Veteran's reports of inservice acoustic trauma are accepted as credible evidence of an in-service event. Service connection is granted.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is 70 percent, meeting the percentage requirements for a TDIU. However, his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's in-service noise exposure is at least as likely as not related to his current condition. The claims for sleep disorder, right ear hearing loss disability, flat feet, and bilateral ankle disorder are remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for his service-connected left foot disability has been granted, but he continues to appeal higher ratings for other conditions.

The Board has found that the Veteran's right elbow disability is not related to service. The claims for back and bilateral foot disabilities are being remanded due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing at the Winston-Salem RO due to his relocation and previous hearing request.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that the evidence does not support a grant of benefits in any of these cases.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus was not incurred or aggravated by service, as it was noted at service entrance and did not worsen beyond its natural progression during service.

The Veteran's appeal has been remanded due to incomplete medical opinions regarding his service connection claims for depression and rheumatoid arthritis, as well as the need for additional examination of his pes planus.

The Board found no evidence of a current disability for the claimed conditions and determined that service connection was not warranted based on direct service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disabilities are currently rated at 10 percent each, with no higher evaluations granted. The Board finds that the current ratings adequately reflect the severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including new VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected bilateral pes planus and knee disabilities. The case will be reconsidered after this development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a left ankle sprain, an increased disability rating for IBS and colitis, and a higher initial disability rating for chronic maxillary sinusitis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran withdrew his appeals for the issues of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for left (minor) index finger injury and bilateral PF. The claims for service connection for residuals of allergic reaction to INH therapy, TB, and DVT have been denied as there are no current residuals or evidence of a disease in service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for flat feet was denied as the preexisting condition did not worsen during service.,Service connection for a lung condition due to asbestos exposure was also denied.

The Veteran does not have a diagnosed bilateral hearing loss disability for VA purposes.,The Veteran's tinnitus is at least as likely as not caused by acoustic trauma sustained during his military service, including periods of INACDUTRA or ACDUTRA.

The Board has granted service connection for DJD of the left knee, sleep apnea, residuals of uvula excision, bilateral flat feet, and bilateral heel spurs. The conditions are considered to be due to the Veteran's period of active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left foot amputation and right foot disability are proximately aggravated by service-connected diabetes mellitus, warranting service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability was denied. The decision on the GERD with hiatal hernia and bilateral foot disability claims is pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any bilateral foot disability found to be present, to include bilateral pes planus and chronic fasciitis.