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

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA foot examination to determine if any current right or left foot disability is related to his service.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a schedular rating in excess of 30 percent prior to September 18, 2009, and for the period from December 1, 2009, to February 10, 2015, and in excess of 50 percent after February 10, 2015.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including consideration of whether referral to the Director of Compensation Service is necessary based on the collective impact of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for PTSD and bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis have been withdrawn by his representative.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete records and need for additional examinations.

The Board finds that the Veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral foot disorders, including pes planus and Morton's neuroma, are not related to service. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection.

The Veteran's hypertension has not been productive of diastolic pressures that are predominantly 100 or more, or systolic pressures predominately 160 or more. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also denied as he does not meet the percentage requirements for a TDIU under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a).

The Veteran's right foot pes planus was granted service connection. The Board also found that the Veteran had in-service complaints and physical duties related to his right shoulder, right hip, and left hip disabilities, but did not provide an opinion on whether these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's rectal disability and bilateral foot disability are related to his service. Service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to a pending request for a videoconference hearing. The issues of reopening claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as service connection for bilateral foot disability, are still under review.

The Veteran's service connection for left pes planus is granted. The right knee and left knee disabilities are each rated at 10 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral flat feet, service connection for a gastrointestinal disability, and service connection for PTSD. The evidence was not sufficient to warrant higher ratings under applicable criteria.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial disability ratings have been granted, with the left shoulder rotator cuff tear with degenerative changes receiving a 20 percent rating. The right and left foot disabilities each receive a 10 percent rating prior to April 27, 2012, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter. Allergic rhinitis receives a non-compensable rating. Post-operative scars on the right ankle and left shoulder are also rated as non-compensable.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, and therefore, the claims are denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's preexisting bilateral pes planus worsened during service and is therefore aggravated by service, warranting service connection.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral pes planus and left hallux valgus, finding new and material evidence. The Board also found that these conditions are secondary to his pre-existing bilateral pes planus and/or left hallux valgus.

The Veteran's onychomycosis, tinnitus, and bilateral pes planus are found to be related to service-connected conditions or due to aggravation by a service-connected condition. The Veteran is granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's currently diagnosed pes planus, hallux valgus, and an intractable plantar keratoma were found to have begun during service, been present since active duty, and continue to persist. The Board granted the claim for service connection.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the right hand CTS, left hand CTS, bilateral plantar fasciitis, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and headache disability claims. The pes planus claim was also withdrawn.

The Veteran's pre-existing bilateral foot disability, diagnosed as pes planus, was aggravated during active service. The Board found the evidence insufficient to rebut the presumption of aggravation and granted service connection for pes planus.