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

The Veteran's right inguinal hernia does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation. For bilateral pes planus, he is not entitled to an evaluation in excess of 10 percent prior to August 6, 2015 and is not entitled to an evaluation in excess of 30 percent on or after that date.

The Veteran's left foot plantar fasciitis is rated at 10% since July 16, 2009. Service connection for a bilateral shoulder disorder has been granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain medical opinions regarding the origins of his bilateral pes planus, as well as increased ratings for PTSD with a major depressive disorder and hand tremors. The TDIU claim will also be addressed.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings have been withdrawn. The Board has granted service connection for TMJ, but denied the remaining claims.

The Board finds that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as depressive disorder not otherwise specified, is service-connected. The Veteran also has a current diagnosis of bilateral flat feet, but there is no evidence of continuity of symptomatology dating back to service. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss cannot be established due to lack of medical evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient examination reports and incomplete medical records. The Veteran is asked to provide additional evidence or authorization, and VA will attempt to obtain any outstanding private records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for pes planus, finding that there was no evidence of aggravation during military service and concluding that the preponderance of the evidence is against the claim.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a congenital defect of pes planus and the Veteran's hallux valgus, hammertoes, and metatarsophalangeal joint degenerative disease are not related to service. The appeal is denied.

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

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral foot disability. The case is remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records from July 2010 to the present and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis for bilateral pes planus, bilateral knee disabilities, or lumbar fusion disability. The claim for peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity is denied as there is insufficient clinical evidence to support this condition.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis is found to be attributable to service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's foot, ear, and back disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service. The claims for these conditions are denied.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disability is rated at 50 percent since December 10, 2010. The Board has also granted service connection for his back, bilateral hip, and bilateral knee disabilities as secondary to his service-connected bilateral foot disability.

The Veteran's left foot plantar fasciitis has been rated at 10 percent since February 19, 2009. The Board found that the disability did not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pes planus, right foot, and plantar calcaneal spurring, right foot, are secondary to his pre-existing pes planus. Service connection is granted for both conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to noise exposure during active duty. The remaining issues of service connection are addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Veteran's appeals were withdrawn prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Veteran's appeal involves claims for service connection for bilateral foot disability and low back disability. The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to ensure all relevant evidence is considered in the decision.