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

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus with hallux valgus and hammer toes have been rated as 50 percent for the entire period of appeal, effective from the date of the May 2009 rating decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bone spurs of the heels was denied. The initial rating for bilateral pes planus from January 31, 2000 was granted at a 30% level. The effective date for right foot pes planus service connection was set to March 9, 1972.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right foot disability other than heel spurs, osteophytes and Reiter's syndrome. The Board found that his current conditions of plantar fasciitis and nonsurgical arthritis are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations of his left foot, wrist, knee, and shoulder disabilities have been withdrawn. The claims for service connection for a right foot condition and a right wrist disability were previously denied in December 1999 due to lack of new and material evidence within one year of the decision. New evidence received since then does not establish that these conditions are related to service or pre-existing conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings prior to October 5, 2009 were denied as the evidence did not show ankylosis or marked limitation of motion in either foot.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for updated VA and private treatment records, as well as a new examination of his left foot disability. The current severity of his service-connected condition will be determined.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss is granted. The Board finds that the evidence supports a finding of in-service noise exposure and current hearing loss, which are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete private treatment records and an inadequate VA examination. The appellant's claim will be reconsidered after these steps are completed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded him from securing or following substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis is not service connected, and his left knee disability does not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional development and adjudicative action, including obtaining a VA medical examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction, bilateral flat feet, GERD, and arthritis of the right knee and leg. The claim for GERD was reopened but still denied. The other claims were not reopened.

The Veteran's left foot disorder and hypertension were not found to be related to service, leading to a denial of both claims.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disability, including retrocalcaneal bursitis and neurofibromas, is currently rated at 30 percent since February 21, 2012. The effective date for service connection of these conditions has been established as August 18, 2009.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus has been rated at 30 percent since September 2, 2015. Prior to that date, the rating was 20 percent.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis and scoliosis of the back were evaluated for increased ratings, but did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under VA rating schedules.,Both conditions have been rated based on their direct service connection without any presumption or secondary theory.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions were denied as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right foot pes planus, low back disorder, and left knee disorder are all service-connected. The right foot pes planus is presumed to have been aggravated by service. The low back and left knee disorders are found to be aggravated by her service-connected left foot disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral foot disability, claimed as pes planus, is being remanded due to the need for clarification of whether his condition is considered a congenital defect or disease. The Board will seek an opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not that the currently-diagnosed pes planus originated during service or is otherwise etiologically related to any symptomatology noted in service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to address his service connection claims.