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

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral foot disorders, finding that there was no evidence of a disease or injury incurred during active service.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical records and provide the Veteran with a VA examination to determine whether his current bilateral plantar fasciitis disability was caused or aggravated during service.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus disability is rated at 50% for the entire appeal period, granting an increased rating. The Board found that his symptoms of marked pronation and pain on use are contemplated by both the 30% and 50% criteria under Diagnostic Code 5276.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, bilateral eye disorder, and right ring finger degenerative joint disease with osteochondroma, status post fracture and surgery were denied. The claim for hypertension was rated as noncompensably disabling.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis and chronic low back disorder are not related to his service, and thus denied both claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his flatfeet and for service connection of a right hand condition, toenail condition (onychomycosis), and arthritis of the foot are being remanded due to inadequate examination reports.,The VA is required to provide an adequate examination or obtain another medical opinion if the current one is not sufficient.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new examination to address the nature and etiology of his claimed back, neck, and shoulder disabilities.

The Board granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and denied service connection for pes planus, bilateral ankle disability, and tinnitus. The effective date remains at the date of receipt of the claim (April 10, 2009).

The Board has determined that there is no competent evidence linking the Veteran's current bilateral foot disabilities to his active service. The claims are therefore denied.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and bilateral foot disorder (Plantar Fasciitis, Pes Planus) have been granted. The effective date is not specified as the claim was initially filed in October 2005.

The Board found that the appellant did not meet the basic eligibility requirements for improved pension due to his ACDUTRA service, and thus denied the appeal. The claim of reopening a previously denied left foot disability was also denied as no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and bilateral pes planus were denied. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for left hip degenerative joint disease was also denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including pes planus, bilateral knee replacements, lumbar fusion, blurred vision and glaucoma (secondary to diabetes), and peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities (also secondary to diabetes).

The Board found that there is no nexus between the current lumbar spine, left knee, lower leg skin, and foot disabilities and service. The Veteran's claims for these conditions were denied.

The Veteran's service-connected thoracolumbar spine scoliosis, status post lumbar spine fusion, with degenerative disc disease and arthritis, is currently rated at 20 percent. The RO denied an increased rating for this condition as the evidence did not show symptoms warranting a higher evaluation under the amended criteria.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a right foot disability and granted service connection on the merits. The Veteran's preexisting right foot disability is found to be aggravated by his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current foot disabilities are related to his service, including running in steel-toed boots and jumping from a helicopter during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current hearing loss of the right ear, a back disability, a right foot disability, or a left foot disability. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for a left ring finger scar was granted. The other claims of service connection were denied.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis warrants a separate initial evaluation of 10 percent for each foot. For PTSD, the Veteran received an initial 10 percent evaluation prior to July 30, 2013, and a 30 percent evaluation thereafter.