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

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability for VA purposes.,Service connection granted for bilateral foot and knee disabilities, with the latter being secondary to the former.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability rating and service connection were denied. The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis is rated appropriately at 10 percent, his bilateral knee disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and his back disorder is not related to a service-connected disease or injury.

The Board has remanded the case for further action consistent with a Court decision, including scheduling a hearing and obtaining additional medical records. The Veteran's claim for service connection for pes planus is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's failure to appear for a scheduled videoconference hearing. The appeal is now pending and will be heard at a later date.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion regarding the relationship between his current foot, knee, and back disabilities and his service-connected right ankle injury.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected psychiatric disability, hallux valgus of the feet, tendonitis of the knees, and pes planus were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board found that the Veteran's respiratory disability, to include as due to herbicide exposure, did not originate in service or for many years thereafter and is not related to any incident during active service. The Veteran's hypertension was also denied based on lack of evidence linking it to his service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to address the severity of his service-connected gout and osteoarthritis of the bilateral great toes, right ankle disability, and bilateral pes planus. The RO must also ensure that all claims are readjudicated in light of all evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus did not permanently increase in severity during service, and there is no current evidence of a knee disability related to service. The claim for bilateral knee disability must be denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to attend scheduled hearings and the need for a videoconference hearing. The issues on appeal include service connection, rating increases, and TDIU.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is rated at 30 percent, effective from the date of claim. Separate ratings for neuropathy in both feet are terminated as they are effectively overlapping with the rating for pes planus.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's flat feet (bilateral pes planus) based on a current disability that began during active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left leg and bilateral foot disabilities pre-existed his military service and were not aggravated by it. The VA examiner concluded that the atrophy of the left lower extremity and flat feet did not worsen during service.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has denied a higher rating. The issue of an extraschedular disability rating for bilateral pes planus remains pending.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70% from August 21, 2015. The bilateral foot disability and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease claims are denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a hearing and issuing a statement of the case on increased rating and earlier effective date issues.

The Veteran's bilateral knee strains and stress fractures of the heels have been granted service connection, with a 10 percent disability rating for each foot. The right knee strain is rated at 10 percent since discharge from service, while left knee strain remains noncompensable. Stress fractures of both heels are currently rated as 10 percent disabling prior to December 8, 2009 and the Veteran has not required assistive devices.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and his left foot pes planus is rated at 10 percent. The Veteran also has service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. His skin disorder claim was reopened but not granted. He is entitled to a TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and ED, as well as a right third toe condition and foot condition. The Veteran's claims for these conditions are based on direct evidence rather than secondary or presumptive exposure.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, has been granted service connection. The initial rating for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis and metatarsalgia was increased to 30 percent but the appeal is denied for a higher rating. Service connection for skin disability (tinea pedis of the feet, dermatitis and eczema of hands and arms) has been granted but not at a higher than 10 percent level.