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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus with calcaneocuboid tarsal coalitions and equinovarus club feet preexisted service but was aggravated by active duty. The gait disorder claim is also addressed, considering both direct and secondary theories of entitlement.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left plantar fasciitis and herpes are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Board finds that the Veteran's preexisting bilateral pes planus disability was aggravated by active duty service, warranting service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the Veteran's pes planus, shell fragment wound, left hand scar, and neck scars did not warrant higher ratings under applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining service treatment records and conducting medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral knee and right foot disabilities. The claim will be readjudicated after all relevant evidence is considered.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left foot disabilities have been rated at 20 percent for the entire rating period from March 5, 2009. The Board found that the symptoms did not warrant a higher rating as they were consistent with moderately severe foot injuries.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right heel disability warrants a 20% rating, but not higher. The right ring finger fracture residuals have been rated as zero percent since November 30, 2003.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been presented to reopen the claim of service connection for bilateral pes planus. The Veteran's hearing loss claim is remanded for further development.

The case is REMANDED to the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ) for further development and consideration. The Veteran will be provided a Supplemental Statement of the Case if any benefits sought on appeal remain denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus was not incurred in or aggravated by service and his multilevel degenerative disc disease with facet joint degeneration was not caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The left knee condition was rated at 10 percent prior to January 12, 2011, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter. Bilateral pes planus and low back pain conditions remain at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral foot/lower leg disorder, specifically shin splints. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral first-degree pes planus with plantar fasciitis is shown to have more nearly approximated a severe flatfoot disability, warranting a 30 percent rating.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased rating for bilateral pes planus, currently rated as 30 percent prior to January 8, 2015, and 50 percent thereafter.

The Board found that the April 2004 and February 2009 rating decisions did not contain CUE in denying service connection for flat feet and back disability, respectively. The August 2009 decision denied service connection for a knee condition due to lack of evidence linking it to service or pre-existing conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD and knee disabilities, were denied. The Board found no valid medical diagnosis of the claimed disabilities based on invalid symptom reports.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and arranging for a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected bilateral pes planus. The claim for increased ratings for cardiogenic syncope (now diagnosed as paroxysmal positional vertigo) will also be considered.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left foot disorder, including as due to exposure to mustard gas and/or asbestos. The case is remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current arthritis of the lumbar spine, bilateral knees and bilateral ankles are related to his military service. The left foot disability is also found to be related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a scheduling error for an in-person hearing at the RO. The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions are pending.