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

The Board has determined that there is no post-service diagnosis of a bilateral ankle disorder or bilateral pes planus, and thus the criteria for establishing service connection have not been met.

The Board has remanded the case due to additional development being required, including a new VA examination for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and consideration of neurological manifestations.

The Board denied the reopening of a claim for service connection for right foot pes planus, finding that new and material evidence was not submitted.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional development and is not yet able to determine if service connection should be granted or denied for the claimed conditions.

The Board found that the available schedular ratings adequately described the Veteran's service-connected bilateral foot disability, and thus denied referral for an extraschedular evaluation.

The Veteran's back brace for his service-connected low back disability results in wear and tear to his clothing, warranting a clothing allowance for 2014. However, the knee braces are not prescribed for any service-connected disability, nor is there evidence of skin conditions due to service-connected disabilities that would qualify for a clothing allowance.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the nature and likely etiology of his knee disability, assess the severity of his dysthesia with cubital tunnel syndrome, and evaluate his right foot disability.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and its associated complications, as well as his acquired psychiatric disorder (depression and/or PTSD), have not been found to be related to service or exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's appeal was withdrawn for the issues of entitlement to service connection for cholesterol, short-term memory loss, diabetes mellitus, eligibility for a non-service connected pension, and TDIU. The claim of service connection for hypertension has been reopened due to new evidence received since the April 2009 rating decision.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and treatment records. The case will be adjudicated again after these are obtained.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining service treatment records and attempting to contact the appellant's unit. The issues of service connection for bilateral flat feet and hypertension remain on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no current diagnoses of bilateral plantar fasciitis or hip disorder, and the PTSD claim was granted but with a reduced rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed bilateral foot disability, including gout, was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not otherwise etiologically related to service. As such, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional evidentiary development, including obtaining his complete service treatment and personnel records.

The Veteran's combined disability rating was 70 percent since October 1996, meeting the criteria for an additional allowance of DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. � 1311(a)(2).

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a skin condition, flatfeet, back problems, hearing loss, and frequent urination. The decision found that pre-existing bilateral flatfeet were not aggravated by service.

The Board found that the Veteran's various foot disabilities, including Morton's neuromas and hallux valgus, were less likely related to military service and did not result from his service-connected status post permanent removal bilateral great toenails.

The Board has determined that there are no pending appeals related to the issues of service connection for plantar fasciitis, a heart disability, an increased rating for thoracic spine lordosis, and an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss. As such, these claims have been dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection were denied. The right foot disability was rated at 10 percent, left hip and right hip disabilities were each rated at 10 percent, and tinnitus was not found to be related to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings are being remanded to allow for additional development of the record, including obtaining VA treatment records and affording the Veteran's representative an opportunity to review the case.