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

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development, including obtaining updated address information and scheduling VA examinations. The claims are currently pending.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disability has been rated at 30 percent since April 30, 2014. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus with hammertoe deformities and heel spurs, finding that the Veteran's foot disabilities are caused or aggravated by his service-connected knee disabilities. The claim for sleep apnea is remanded.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the claims on appeal can be decided. The Veteran should be provided a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current bilateral foot disability, including pes planus and hammertoe.

The Board has determined that further action is needed to adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining additional medical opinions and evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disability did not manifest to a compensable degree within one year of separation from active service, and thus cannot be granted service connection under either presumptive or direct service connection provisions. The low back and foot disabilities have also been denied as there is insufficient evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining post-service medical records from Darnall Army Medical Center and generating a formal finding of unavailability if these records are not available. The claims will be reconsidered after this development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been reopened, but the evidence does not support a grant of service connection.,The Veteran does not have bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus that can be attributed to his period of active military service.,There is no evidence showing chronic ingrown toenails were incurred during service.,Service connection for allergic rhinitis/sinusitis and cellulitis are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.,The Veteran's asthma has been evaluated at 60 percent since January 2003, but a reduction to 30 percent was implemented due to material improvement not being demonstrated by a preponderance of evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of hemorrhoids, bilateral knee disabilities, or bilateral foot disabilities. The evidence does not support service connection for any of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current tinnitus began during his active military service and is related to noise exposure. The other claims have been dismissed as withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for asthma and bilateral plantar fasciitis, finding that her conditions did not warrant a rating in excess of the current 30 percent for asthma or a single 10 percent rating for each foot.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was rated at 10 percent prior to March 24, 2011.,Beginning March 24, 2011 and prior to January 2, 2013, the Veteran's disability warranted a 30 percent evaluation for his bilateral pes planus with associated plantar fasciitis.,Effective January 2, 2013, the Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus with associated plantar fasciitis was rated at 50 percent on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to assess the nature and etiology of his claimed bilateral pes planus and skin disorders.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's preexisting bilateral pes planus was aggravated by active service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a bilateral foot disorder, an eye condition other than dry eyes, and dry skin were granted. The claim for a disability rating in excess of 60 percent for hypertensive heart disease was denied. The effective dates for the grants of service connection for bilateral dry eyes and low back disorder were also determined.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic right or left foot disability during service and denied the Veteran's claims for service connection. The current diagnoses are attributed to post-service occupational activities.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to ensure the Veteran receives proper notice and assistance in connection with his claims, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling him for a VA examination. The appeal will be remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine the etiology of his claimed left leg and foot disabilities, as previous examinations were inadequate.

The Veteran's sleep apnea was not incurred in service, and the Board finds that his bilateral pes planus did not increase in severity during service. Therefore, both claims for service connection are denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left and right foot plantar fasciitis, hypertension, GERD, and dermatophytosis of the right foot toenails were granted. The initial evaluations assigned are 10 percent for each foot's plantar fasciitis, 10 percent for hypertension, and no rating assigned for GERD or dermatophytosis.