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

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sinusitis is denied as there is no evidence of a chronic condition during active duty.,The Veteran's bilateral foot disorder prior to December 18, 2010 was rated at non-compensable due to relief by built-up shoe or arch support.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner to address whether any foot disabilities other than pes planus are related to service or aggravated by service-connected pes planus.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for a psychiatric disability to include PTSD during his March 2013 videoconference hearing. The Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

Service connection for tinnitus has been granted.,Service connection for bilateral pes planus on the basis of aggravation during service has also been granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA examinations and to ensure all relevant medical records are associated with the claims file. The Veteran will be provided an opportunity for a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, right inguinal hernia, and bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and TDIU is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a bilateral calf disorder or right knee disorder, and therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied. The remaining issues of secondary service connection are inextricably intertwined with the pes planus claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion regarding his bilateral foot disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus, coronary artery disease, sinus condition, gastrointestinal condition, and hypertension have been denied. The Board notes that further development is required to obtain VA treatment records prior to the date of the June 2014 VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to report for scheduled VA examinations and the need to obtain additional treatment records. The case will be returned to the Board after these actions are completed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial ratings have been granted. The Board found that the Veteran has keloids on his chest and back, right ear hearing loss, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), right hip bursitis, left hip bursitis, right knee bursitis with chondromalacia, bilateral flat feet with degenerative changes of both feet, and stress related headaches. The Veteran's service connection claims are granted as his conditions are found to be at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected pes planus has rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board finds that he is entitled to a TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed as she withdrew her claim for increased rating of left wrist scar. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical records and schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to assess her current headaches and plantar fasciitis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right foot disability, including hallux rigidus of the right great toe, is at least as likely as not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected knee disabilities. As a result, the claim for secondary service connection is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for PTSD, erectile dysfunction, and pes planus. The remaining issues of service connection for bilateral hip disability, lumbar spine disability, increased rating for Reiter's syndrome, and TDIU were also denied.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for various ankle, foot, knee, and wrist disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the appellant's claims of service connection for an eye disorder, a right knee disorder, and residuals of a fractured right wrist and metacarpal. The appeals regarding gallstones, plantar warts, vertigo, and carpal tunnel syndrome were withdrawn prior to decision.

The Veteran is granted service connection for depression as secondary to her service-connected trigeminal neuralgia. Her TDIU claim from April 1, 2012 is also granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right elbow disorder, right wrist fracture residuals, gastrointestinal disability (GERD), left foot plantar fasciitis, upper respiratory infection, and conjunctivitis. The decision also found that the Veteran did not meet criteria for separate ratings under DCs 5260/5261 due to arthritis or instability of the knee.

The Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance was denied as the evidence did not support his contention that he used leg braces which caused wear and tear on his clothing.