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

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus due to aggravation of a pre-existing condition. The left eye disability and other issues remain unresolved.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral foot condition, including bilateral pes planus and tinea unguium of the toenails, did not have its onset during active service or result from disease or injury during service. Therefore, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's pes planus disability was reduced to a noncompensable rating, effective June 1, 2009. The Board found that the reduction was proper based on improvement in his condition. The Veteran's total disability due to individual unemployability claim is denied as he does not meet the schedular criteria for a total disability rating.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his bilateral foot disability and PTSD were not rated appropriately. The Board found that the current ratings for both conditions did not meet the criteria set forth in VA regulations.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is found to be secondary to his service-connected disabilities. No compensable rating is assigned for tinea pedis with onychomycosis (feet fungus) or TMJ disorder.

The Veteran's case is being remanded for further development to address the nature and etiology of any right knee, ankle, or foot disability. The examiner should consider the service medical records showing stress changes on bone scan in November 2008, the February 2010 reserve service medical record, and the November 2010 and April 2014 VA examination reports.

The Veteran's left plantar fasciitis with heel spur and right foot, plantar fasciitis, are each shown to have been productive of a disability picture involving no more than moderate painful functional effects in her daily life at work and home. She is therefore entitled to a 10 percent rating for each foot.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for the issue of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral plantar fasciitis.

The Veteran's claims for increases in the ratings for bilateral pes planus and residuals of a right navicular fracture with degenerative joint disease were denied as his conditions did not warrant higher ratings under VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and her case is dismissed without prejudice.

The Veteran's pre-existing bilateral pes planus was permanently aggravated by his military service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus and left ankle fracture was initially denied due to the absence of service treatment records. The effective date has been changed from June 10, 2003, to August 4, 1979, based on new evidence provided by the Veteran.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is found to be related to his military service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The increased disability ratings for the knee disabilities and bilateral pes planus are also granted.

The Veteran's service-connected right foot disability is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds no evidence of loss of use or amputation that would warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to the claimed conditions and concluded that any preexisting conditions did not worsen during service.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service connection claims for various conditions, including PTSD, chronic fatigue syndrome, and undiagnosed illnesses. The case is being remanded due to the need for a Board hearing.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if he is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's left and right feet disabilities have been rated as moderate impairments, resulting in an initial 10% rating for each foot.,Both conditions are currently rated under the criteria for other foot injuries not described by other diagnostic codes (DC 5284).

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, pes planus, and tremors (claimed as Parkinson's disease), finding that there was no evidence of a current disability or an in-service injury or event. The Board also found insufficient competent medical evidence to establish aggravation of pes planus during service.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and therefore his claim for a TDIU is denied.