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

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for hemorrhoids is denied. The Board finds that the Veteran's hemorrhoid disability has not been manifested by large or thrombotic, irreducible hemorrhoids with excessive redundant tissue, evidencing frequent recurrences since November 25, 2005.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability with left leg radiculopathy and bilateral pes planus. The case will be remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for a right foot plantar wart, and the Board dismisses this claim.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for left foot plantar fasciitis, finding that the evidence is in equipoise regarding whether this condition was incurred during service.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral pes planus and obstructive sleep apnea have been reopened, but additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions. The Veteran's GERD claim remains on hold due to a lack of definitive evidence linking his current condition to active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral foot disorders, including pes planus, were not incurred or aggravated by service. Other bilateral foot disorders are also present but there is no evidence to support a direct link between these conditions and service.

The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against a finding that the Veteran's current left ankle and plantar fibromatosis conditions are etiologically related to service. The Veteran's in-service complaints were not diagnosed as chronic conditions, and there is no medical opinion linking his current conditions to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to a TDIU effective April 5, 2014, based on his service-connected disabilities. The combined rating of these conditions meets the criteria for a TDIU as of July 31, 2008.

The Board has determined that additional development is required in order to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including providing VA examinations and opinions for his foot, knee, hip, PTSD, and hearing loss disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right and left foot disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability or in-service injury or disease. The Board also found that arthritis could not be presumed to have been incurred in service.

The Veteran's foot disorder is not considered to be related to her service-connected knee disability, and the Board finds that she does not have a current foot disability that began during active military service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right ear hearing loss, bilateral pes planus, and right foot fracture due to incomplete development. The Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Veteran has withdrawn all issues on appeal, including service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder and Epstein Barr Virus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right foot disability and initial compensable ratings for left ankle injury and left foot degenerative joint disease were denied. The Board found no evidence of current right foot disability or any other compensable disability during the appeal period.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee and left ankle/foot disabilities do not meet the threshold requirements for a TDIU, as they do not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the claims for an initial compensable evaluation for right ear hearing loss and entitlement to service connection for a bilateral foot condition due to incomplete development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for his service-connected bilateral flat feet, finding that other diagnosed foot disorders were not related to his service-connected condition or to service.

The Veteran's left foot disability has been rated at the highest available rating under Diagnostic Code 5284, and there is no evidence that his condition warrants a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for cold injuries of the right and left lower extremities has been withdrawn. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records.