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

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and found that the Veteran's current tinnitus is related to his in-service noise exposure. The claims for higher ratings for left ankle disability, left ankle scar, and right foot disability are being remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection for pes planus, finding that new and material evidence had not been received. The Veteran was informed of this decision in a July 1998 rating decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current sleep apnea, heart disorder, flat feet, back disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, left hip disorder, and right hip disorder are not attributable to service. The claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis has rendered him unemployable since August 21, 2009 due to the severity of his foot disabilities and his limited education and work experience.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability, stomach disability (diverticulitis), and bilateral foot disability have all been denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities during the period of his claim.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a bilateral foot disability, including pes planus. The Board has determined that another remand is necessary to obtain updated treatment records and conduct a VA examination with a podiatrist to address the nature and etiology of all claimed foot disorders.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inconsistencies and inadequacy of the September 2015 VA medical opinion, as well as failure to address specific records identified in the August 2015 remand.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for initial compensable ratings for hallux valgus et rigidus of the left and right great toes, as well as an increased rating for bilateral pes planus. The referral for extraschedular consideration based on the Veteran's disabilities on a collective basis is pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for his bilateral pes planus, back disability, and bilateral leg disability (including peripheral vascular disease, intrinsic/extrinsic strain to calves, and posterior tibial tendon dysfunction), finding that there was no evidence of aggravation during service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, lumbosacral strain, and bilateral pes planus and ingrown toenails have been granted. The Board found that the Veteran had pre-existing conditions in service but did not aggravate them during service.

The Veteran's chronic vasomotor rhinitis with recurrent epistaxis is found to be related to service, and service connection for this condition is granted. The Board finds that additional development is needed for the remaining issues on appeal.

The Board found that the Veteran's right foot disability is not related to service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's right ankle disability was rated at 20 percent from November 26, 2008 to September 12, 2014. A higher rating of 30 percent is granted for this period due to ankylosis in dorsiflexion between 0 and 10 degrees. The Veteran's right foot plantar fasciitis was rated at 10 percent from November 26, 2008 to September 12, 2014. No higher rating is granted for this condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability, finding that there is no evidence of arthritis within one year of discharge and that any current right knee disability is not related to service or his service-connected left knee disability. The remaining claims are pending.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his knee and foot disabilities were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his symptoms.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right ankle and foot disabilities are not related to his active service, including an in-service ankle sprain. As such, he is not entitled to service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have or had arthritis of either hand, a left knee disorder, left foot plantar fasciitis, or hemorrhoids during the appellate period. The claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus has been rated at the maximum schedular rating since March 12, 2015. Prior to that date, he was granted a 30 percent rating for his condition. The VA examinations indicate severe symptoms including pain and tenderness of both feet, but no objective evidence of marked deformity or inward displacement.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed bilateral foot disability had its onset in service or is etiologically related to his active service, and thus grants service connection for a bilateral foot disability.