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

The Veteran's death was attributed to polypharmacy toxicity (drugs, alcohol), and the Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if any of his service-connected disabilities contributed to his death or if he had a psychiatric disability related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The claim of a bilateral foot disability was reopened, but the service connection claim remains denied.

The Veteran's fatty liver disease and bilateral pes planus were not incurred or aggravated by service. The Board found that the Veteran did not have an in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for left foot plantar fasciitis. The Veteran's current left foot plantar fasciitis was incurred during active duty service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left foot disability and finds that it was aggravated by active service. The Veteran is therefore entitled to service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current foot disorder is related to his military service. The examiner must consider all of the Veteran's contentions, including that in-service activities led to his current problems.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate evidence regarding the Veteran's ability to work.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded as the RO incorrectly adjudicated other issues and failed to provide an adequate examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertonicity of the right plantar flexion muscle group, claimed as a right foot disability, is secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability and/or sciatic nerve paralysis, right lower extremity, associated with a lumbar spine disability.,The Board has also determined that the Veteran's right hip disability is related to his service-connected lumbar spine disability and/or sciatic nerve paralysis, right lower extremity, associated with a lumbar spine disability. The Board has not made a determination on whether the Veteran's allergies and/or sinus disability are secondary to his service-connected scar, left nose.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining complete service records and VA treatment records. The case will be reconsidered after these steps are completed.

The Veteran does not have current diagnoses of bilateral ankle or left foot disabilities, and the VA examinations do not support a finding that these conditions are related to service. The Board finds no evidence of a current diagnosis of a left foot disability.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his service-connected amputation of the left second and third toes, with internal fractures of the fourth and fifth toes, was granted. The Board also found that he is entitled to separate ratings for arthritis and plantar fasciitis as residuals of his service-connected injury.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right foot disability and bilateral knee disability, but remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's preexisting bilateral pes planus worsened during service, warranting service connection for this disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus, plantar fasciitis, hammertoes, and metatarsalgia are related to service. However, there is insufficient evidence to establish a connection between rheumatoid arthritis of the bilateral ankles and feet and active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a more recent examination for TMJ and scheduling of a DRO hearing.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered her unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, resulting in an award of TDIU. The Veteran also received a temporary total disability rating for surgery performed on December 22, 2009.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disability and bilateral foot disability were not incurred or aggravated during active service, and thus denied both claims.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to assess his service-connected degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome. The claims are also remanded for an opinion on whether he has any acquired psychiatric disability related to service or aggravated by his service-connected condition.