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

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to procedural deficiencies, including the failure to issue a supplemental statement of the case addressing additional evidence added to the record since the most recent statements of the case or supplemental statements of the case.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including chronic rhinitis, generalized anxiety disorder, bilateral pes planus, tinnitus, sinusitis, esophageal hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux disease, and bilateral hearing loss, meet the criteria for a TDIU and VA outpatient dental treatment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining her Reserve and active duty service treatment records, as well as any private sector medical records. She must also be asked to provide authorization for VA to obtain her VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected bilateral pes planus is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis is not related to service and denied his claim for service connection. The issues of an increased rating for major depression and TDIU are addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis, finding that there is no clear and unmistakable evidence to support a finding that these conditions preexisted service or were aggravated by service. The Veteran's current diagnoses are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity and left lower extremity have been granted effective from November 24, 2010.,An initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity has been granted effective from March 5, 2009.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus disability was rated at 50 percent disabling, which is the highest schedular rating available under DC 5276. The appeal for a higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral foot disability, to include as secondary to his service-connected bilateral ankle disabilities, was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not demonstrate an etiological relationship between the claimed condition and active duty service.,Prior to June 9, 2011, the Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for hemorrhoids was denied. As of June 9, 2011, his claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for hemorrhoids was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the nature and etiology of his claimed left foot and lumbar spine disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claims for service connection. The Veteran is required to provide updated VA and private treatment records, as well as undergo VA examinations to determine the presence of bilateral plantar fascitis, left eye stress, and headaches, and their relationship to her service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral pes planus and lumbar spine disorder to include spinal stenosis due to potential issues with the adequacy of the July 2013 VA examination, as well as the need for additional medical records.

The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral pes planus did not worsen beyond its natural progression during his military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral foot disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and it may not be presumed to have been incurred in active service.

The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral flat feet disability did not permanently increase in severity during service and is therefore not considered to be aggravated by service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, including depression with possible psychotic features and bipolar disorder, is service-connected as a result of aggravation during his period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA). The Board finds that the Veteran has met his burden to establish service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records, as well as a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left foot plantar fasciitis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral foot disorder, claimed as residuals of a cold injury, is being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining outstanding VA treatment records and providing an addendum opinion from a medical examiner.

The Board denied service connection for pes planus and blood clots and phlebitis of the lower extremities, finding no evidence of such conditions in service or post-service. The Veteran's account was not corroborated by medical records.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection was denied. The lumbar spine disability is not more than 20 percent disabling, the left shoulder strain prior to January 19, 2011, does not meet a higher rating, bilateral pes planus claim was withdrawn, right knee and left knee retropatellar pain syndrome do not meet a higher rating, service connection for a left hip disorder is denied, service connection for right and left elbow disorders is denied, and service connection for a right ankle disorder is granted.