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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pes planus and left ankle disorder did not meet the criteria for service connection, as there is no evidence of an in-service onset or aggravation of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for epistaxis, migraine headaches prior to March 5, 2010, left hip bursitis prior to March 5, 2010, and lumbar degenerative arthritis prior to March 5, 2010 have all been granted. The Veteran's claims for evaluations of these conditions are also granted.

The Board has determined that there is no current evidence of residuals from frostbite to the feet. The Veteran's low back disorder and bilateral pes planus are not service connected.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he requested to withdraw his appeal for all issues.

The Board is remanding the Veteran's case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a medical examination to address whether his bilateral flat feet increased in severity during service. The issue of whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen his claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss will also be addressed.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus. The Veteran's pre-existing pes planus was not aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to determine the nature and etiology of her bilateral foot disability and eczema, including whether these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disorder, characterized by marked pronation and inward displacement, does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation as it lacks extreme tenderness of the plantar surface or severe spasm of the Achilles tendon.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right foot plantar warts was denied, but she received a 10 percent disability rating for her multiple noncompensable disabilities.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for a bilateral foot disability, including as secondary to a nonservice-connected low back disability. The case is now before the Board again.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral wrist, right foot, and right ankle disabilities were denied as there is no current evidence of a diagnosed disability in the record.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues including increased ratings for various service-connected disabilities, a TDIU claim, and the assignment of combined disability ratings. The Board has determined that some claims have been granted while others remain pending.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is rated at the maximum allowable under DC 5271, and a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's left foot plantar fasciitis is currently rated as 20 percent disabling, which represents the highest available rating under DC 5276. A higher or separate rating is not warranted without evidence of ankylosis, astragalectomy (the surgical removal of the talus bone), or malunion of os calcis or astragulus bones.,The Veteran's left knee bursitis does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under any applicable DCs. The highest available rating is 10 percent under DC 5284, as it is rated as 'other foot injury'.,Bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at zero percent and no higher ratings are warranted based on the provided information.

The VA determined that the Veteran's pre-existing skin condition, hyperkeratosis palmaris et plantaris, was not aggravated by service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis with degenerative arthritis of the first TMT and MTP joints is rated at 30 percent since February 12, 2013.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for DJD of the lumbar spine is dismissed. The Board has reopened his previously denied claim of service connection for pes planus and granted it, finding that the pre-existing condition worsened during military service.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disability was granted an increased evaluation of 30 percent effective May 21, 2014. The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral foot disability warranted a higher rating due to his pes planus and other associated symptoms.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral foot disability, left wrist disability, and left knee disability are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current left foot disability and therefore, service connection for this condition cannot be granted.