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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus, plantar fasciitis, and left heel spurs are due to in-service standing, marching, and other rigorous activities with little footwear support. As a result, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus and a left eye disability, finding that his pre-existing conditions did not worsen during service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis and obtaining all available treatment records.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the Veteran's coccydynia, effective from the date of the decision. The appeal for service connection for sterilization and an initial higher rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's current disabilities of the right foot, right knee, left leg, and low back are not considered to be related to his in-service shrapnel injuries. The Board finds that there is no credible evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus was rated at 20% since November 23, 2012. The Board found that the current rating of 30% is appropriate given the severity and manifestations of his condition.

The Board has granted reopening of the previously denied claims for service connection for hypertension, left and right knee disabilities, bilateral pes planus, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and neck disability. The evidence submitted since the last denial supports a finding that these conditions were incurred in or are related to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates have been denied. The right upper extremity radiculopathy, left foot pes planus, and neck scar conditions are all rated at their maximum allowable levels.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for hearings as requested. The claims will be returned to the Board after these hearings are conducted.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's bilateral pes planus and bilateral knee arthritis are due to active service or, in the case of bilateral knee arthritis, are secondary to now service-connected bilateral pes planus. As a result, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right foot disability, left foot disability, and chest pain have been denied.,The claim for an increased rating for diabetes has not met the criteria for a higher than 20 percent rating prior to March 3, 2009. The current evaluation of 20 percent is maintained.,The Veteran's hypertension with diabetic nephropathy does not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent.,The claim for urinary incontinence has been granted effective from April 11, 2009 and rated at 60 percent. The earlier effective date is denied.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity does not meet the criteria for a rating higher than 10 percent prior to March 3, 2009.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hand tremors and bilateral pes planus due to incomplete examination reports and lack of medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing left foot disability, which included pes planus and a bunion, was not aggravated by service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for residuals of a back injury due to new evidence. The remaining claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional development of his claims file.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a right foot disability has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran before a decision was made.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was rated at 30 percent from February 9, 2009 to December 7, 2012.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 20 percent for his right shoulder disability, 10 percent for his bilateral foot disability (diagnosed as plantar fasciitis), and 30 percent for his acquired psychiatric disorder prior to October 16, 2012.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus, which pre-existed entry into active duty, was aggravated by active duty. The Veteran's GERD is found to be at least as likely as not secondary to her service-connected knee disability.