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

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus and Freiberg's disease of the left second metatarsal were found to meet the criteria for a compensable rating (10%) under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding service connection on a secondary basis due to PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for TDIU and DEA benefits were denied as he did not meet the criteria for unemployability based solely on his service-connected disabilities prior to April 6, 2012.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including consideration of the November 2014 VA examination reports and issuance of a supplemental statement of the case if any benefits are granted.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle disability and left foot pes planus, both claimed as secondary to his service-connected right knee bursitis. The case will be remanded for further action.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus is rated at 10 percent, and his right hand fracture does not warrant a compensable rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a right foot disability. The claim for low back disability is pending as an issue.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims, including obtaining relevant medical records and completing examinations for his knee and heart disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the failure of a scheduled hearing before the Board. The case will be returned for further action.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the etiology of his bilateral pes planus.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral foot disorder, including bilateral pes planus and degenerative joint disease of the feet, was not incurred in or aggravated by his active duty service. The examiner opined that the condition is a congenital disease and did not permanently increase in severity beyond the natural progression during service.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of bilateral hearing loss, erectile dysfunction, or bilateral pes planus. The claims for service connection were denied as there was no evidence of a current disability in these conditions at any time during the appeal period.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus with degenerative changes disability has been found to more nearly approximate the criteria for a pronounced bilateral pes planus disability due to painful foot motion, abnormal weight bearing, tender callosities regularly removed by his spouse, weight bearing line over or medial to the great toe, bilateral Morton's metatarsalgia, tenderness over the soles of the feet at mid-arch level, a moderate degree of valgus tender plantar surfaces, deformity of inward rotation of the os calcis, and mal-alignment with inward bowing of the Achilles tendon; resulting in significant functional impairment.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right hip disability, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his service-connected right knee disability. The left foot disability issue remains pending and will be addressed in the remand portion of this decision.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain updated treatment records and an examination for the Veteran's bilateral foot/ankle disorders, including DJD of the great toes, peripheral neuropathic pain, and pes planus.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus, plantar fasciitis, hallux valgus, calluses, and metatarsalgia of the second toes were rated at 20 percent from September 30, 2006 to September 17, 2013, and at 50 percent thereafter. The Veteran's appeal was granted.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a thoracolumbar spine condition and bilateral pes planus, finding that new and material evidence has been submitted. The claims are now before the Board to decide on their merits.

The Veteran's current diagnosis of bilateral plantar fasciitis is linked to his active military service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted an initial 10 percent rating for the Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis, finding that it more closely approximates moderate disability.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for TDIU and DEA benefits were denied as he did not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU prior to February 4, 2009. The Board also found that there was no evidence of unemployability due to service-connected disabilities during this period.