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

The Board denied service connection for bilateral pes planus and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's conditions existed prior to service and did not worsen during service. The Board also found no evidence of a nexus between current disabilities and active service.

The Veteran's GERD with hiatal hernia is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that a compensable rating is not warranted.,Prior to November 5, 2011, the Veteran's bilateral flat feet are rated as 10 percent disabling. Since November 5, 2011, they are rated as 30 percent disabling.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings have been denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating than the currently assigned evaluations.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for left foot plantar fasciitis is granted, and his service connection claims for low back disability and left knee disability are granted. The claim for service connection for left foot numbness remains pending.

Service connection is granted for bilateral plantar fasciitis of the feet. The Veteran's right and left leg, knee, arm, and neck disabilities are found to be less likely than not related to his service-connected low back muscle spasm disability or bilateral foot disability.

The Veteran's cervical strain with traumatic arthritis is rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum rating available under the applicable rating criteria. The remaining conditions have either not been granted or are denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for GERD, left and right plantar fasciitis were denied as the evidence did not show symptoms warranting a higher rating.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis with heel spurs is currently rated at 10 percent, the maximum schedular rating available under DC 5278 for claw foot (pes cavus). The condition primarily manifests as pain and swelling on prolonged standing or walking, greater on the right side than the left. There are no indications of additional symptoms warranting a higher evaluation.

The Board has granted a 20% rating for the Veteran's right ankle disability and found that his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral foot conditions were not incurred in service or caused by an in-service injury, event or illness. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to assess the nature and etiology of his claimed foot disabilities and lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral pes planus was denied. The Board found that the disability more closely approximated severe pes planus, warranting a 30 percent rating. However, as the disability had been service-connected on an aggravation basis, the pre-existing degree of disability (10%) was deducted from any compensation level assigned, leaving the Veteran with a net 20% compensation level for his bilateral pes planus. The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not addressed due to inadequate examination.

The Veteran's right foot disability is currently rated at 30 percent disabling, effective February 19, 2013. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted for the period prior to this date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD is granted. The issues of lumbosacral strain, right and left hip sprain, right and left knee arthritis, and bilateral pes planus are dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right foot pes planus preexisted service and was aggravated during her active duty, warranting service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to service connection for a left ankle disability. The Veteran must be provided with a Statement of the Case on this issue.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions were denied as there was no evidence of in-service incurrence or aggravation, and the preponderance of the evidence did not support a nexus to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral leg and foot disabilities, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and his other service-connected conditions do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and Social Security Administration records. The Veteran will be provided a new VA examination to assess his employability due to service-connected disabilities.