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

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for new examinations and additional medical records. The service connection claim for left plantar fibroma is inextricably intertwined with the temporary total disability rating claim.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for increased ratings for various service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, degenerative joint disease of the right acromioclavicular joint, synovitis of the right and left knees, bilateral pes planus, and deviated septum. The case is being remanded to issue a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC) addressing these issues.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral foot disability is being remanded due to the failure to report for a scheduled VA examination. The case will be further developed by obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA compensation examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The claim to reopen service connection for bilateral pes planus with calluses was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected low back disability and bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis. The issue of entitlement to TDIU has also been referred to the AOJ.

The Veteran's chronic low back disability and bilateral pes planus have been granted service connection, effective April 17, 2009.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a videoconference hearing, issuing a statement of the case on the issue to reopen service connection for plantar fasciitis/flat feet, requesting VA outpatient records from January 2014 through the present, and scheduling a respiratory examination.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary to adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and private medical records. The Veteran may have additional disabilities related to his military service which need to be evaluated.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits records. The case will be readjudicated after these records are obtained.

The Board denied service connection for flat feet and PTSD due to lack of evidence showing a direct relationship between the conditions and service. The Veteran's current disabilities are not considered related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right foot plantar fasciitis and left foot plantar fasciitis, including his left heel neuroma and hammertoe status post corrective surgery, are related to service. The claims for service connection have been granted.

Service connection for left trigger finger and right trigger finger has been granted with effective dates of October 26, 2006 and August 6, 2007 respectively. Service connection for pes planus was reopened and granted with an effective date of October 26, 2006. Service connection for sleep apnea and left tibial tendon dysfunction has been granted as secondary to service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to missing service treatment records and the need for additional examinations to determine the etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's chronic fatigue syndrome is related to his service-connected sleep apnea, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claims for right foot disability, tinnitus, GERD, and onychomycosis of the toenails were not received by VA within one year after separation from service. Therefore, effective dates prior to May 19, 2011 are denied.,A 10 percent rating was granted for left foot disability with an effective date of May 19, 2011.

The Veteran's appeal of the initial ratings for post-operative hernia residuals and bilateral plantar fasciitis is being remanded due to deficiencies in the evidentiary record, including a need for additional medical examination and development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pes planus and foot strain were aggravated by service, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board found that there is no current diagnosis of a disability characterized by chest pain for service connection purposes. The Veteran's claim was denied as the evidence did not demonstrate a nexus between his in-service complaints and any diagnosed condition.

The Veteran's depression is due to his service-connected left finger disability, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's combined disability rating following the December 2011 rating decision was properly calculated. The assigned 40 percent combined rating effective from August 2002 reflects the correct application of the combined ratings table.