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

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was noted at entry into service but not diagnosed or treated during active duty. The cervical and lumbar spine disabilities were not diagnosed until after separation from service, and the Board finds that there is insufficient evidence to establish a connection with service.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to schedule a videoconference hearing. The Veteran's request for a hearing was made prior to issuance of a decision, and he now requests that his hearing be conducted from the Marion Illinois VAMC.

The Board found no evidence of hemorrhoids during service and denied the Veteran's claims for arthritis, left knee pain, plantar bone spurs, right thumb disability, and little finger or third finger disability. The appeals were based on direct service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral foot disorder, including pes planus and hallux valgus, is related to his military service despite it pre-existing.

The Board denied an increased rating for bilateral pes planus, currently rated at 30 percent prior to August 26, 2014 and 50 percent from that date.

The Board has remanded the appeal for additional development due to inadequate opinions in the November 2014 VA examination report. The Veteran's claims for service connection are being referred back for further review.

The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral pes planus did not increase in severity during his military service and denied service connection for it as secondary to a service-connected left ankle condition.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of bilateral pes planus and granted it, finding that new evidence supports a worsening of the pre-existing condition during active duty.

The Board has found that the Veteran's flat feet with plantar fasciitis is likely related to active service and grants this claim. The hearing loss disability issue remains pending as it was addressed in a separate decision.

The Veteran's left foot hallux valgus and plantar fasciitis have not been shown to warrant a compensable initial rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral knee disability, diagnosed as chondromalcia patella, was not incurred in or aggravated by service.,The preponderance of the evidence is against a finding that the Veteran has a current right foot disability related to an in-service injury.

The Veteran's bilateral hallux valgus with bunion formation and degenerative joint disease of the first MTP joint of the great toe with plantar fasciitis has been found to meet the criteria for a 30 percent disability rating since October 25, 2007.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeals regarding his service-connected bilateral pes planus, bronchitis, pseudofolliculitis barbae, back disorder, and right knee/leg disorder. The claims for pseudofolliculitis barbae, back disorder, and right knee/leg disorder were not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's left and right foot disabilities, including scars from the surgeries, are found to be related to service. The claims for increased evaluations of the right foot disability and right foot scars are addressed in a separate REMAND portion.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is presumed to be due to herbicide exposure in service. The Veteran does not have current diagnoses of hemorrhoids or right foot plantar wart disabilities for VA compensation purposes.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding his ability to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus and left ear hearing loss disability are related to in-service noise exposure, but denied service connection for right ear hearing loss disability, dental disorder, hypertension, low back disability, pes planus, and left eye disorder. The shin splints were resolved prior to filing of the claim.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral plantar warts/calluses result in mild to moderate symptoms, including pain during weight-bearing activities. The Board has granted a 20 percent disability rating for the condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete examination reports and additional development is required.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic low back and left foot disabilities due to deficiencies in the evidence, including the need to obtain SSA records and clarify a VA opinion.