Foot (incl. plantar fasciitis, flat feet) decisions — 2016

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for plantar wart, right foot was denied. The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and respiratory disability (sleep apnea) are pending. The Veteran's request to reopen his left foot disability claim is granted due to the submission of new evidence that establishes a fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current left foot disability is not related to his military service and therefore denies both claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected bilateral pes cavus has been denied as the evidence does not support a finding of pes cavus, and the symptoms present are more consistent with other diagnoses such as pes planus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA orthopedic examination to correct deficiencies in the current cervical spine evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his left foot disability characterized as a calcaneal spur and plantar fasciitis was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show pronounced symptoms such as marked pronation, extreme tenderness of the plantar surfaces of the feet, or severe spasm of the tendo-achillis on manipulation that is not improved by orthopedic shoes or appliances required for a higher rating under DC 5276. The appeal for TDIU was also denied.

The Board finds that the Veteran's left foot disability was not caused or aggravated by his service, and specifically denies the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the appellant (through his authorized representative) has withdrawn the appeal for service-connected pseudofolliculitis barbae and left foot plantar fasciitis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause or contribute to his death, and therefore, he cannot be granted service connection for the cause of his death.

The Board finds that the Veteran has PTSD due to multiple traumas experienced during Vietnam, including fearing for his life and the lives of those around him. The Veteran's symptoms include nightmares, flashbacks, avoidance of reminders of the trauma, emotional numbing, anger and irritability, sleep disturbance, an exaggerated startle response, and hypervigilance.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for increased ratings for the right ankle, tinnitus, and left thumb, service connection for flat feet and low back disability, and finding of incompetency.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his inability to attend the scheduled hearing. His claims for service connection for bilateral foot disability, bilateral hearing loss, and head disability are still pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of right knee, left knee, and left shoulder disabilities as well as his claim to reopen a previously denied bilateral pes planus claim. The evidence did not establish current diagnoses or show that any claimed conditions were incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been granted. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise whether the Veteran suffers from PTSD related to his active military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's pre-existing bilateral pes planus was not aggravated by service, and there is no current evidence of a service-connected right foot plantar fasciitis.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain a supplemental VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of any current bilateral foot disability, including bilateral plantar fasciitis. The Veteran's lay history and the January 2011 and October 2012 medical opinions will be considered in forming an opinion.

The Veteran's increased ratings for his low back disability, right and left lower extremity radiculopathies, and plantar callus and bone spur of the left foot are granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain medical opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed bilateral foot, knee, and sleep apnea disabilities. The AOJ will also request any relevant records from the 2001 conversation between the Veteran's late wife and her private treatment provider.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was rated at 30 percent prior to April 6, 2011.,From April 6, 2011, the Veteran's disability rating for bilateral pes planus remained at 30 percent.

The appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected knee disability, and the Board denied secondary service connection for this condition.