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

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and verifying his claimed stressors. He is also seeking an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorders, hallux valgus deformity of the left foot, right foot disability, bilateral glaucoma, asthma, and erectile dysfunction are not related to service. The claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's flat feet (pes planus) is a congenital defect and not subject to service connection. The appeal for service connection for flat feet is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records, Social Security Administration records, and private medical records. Additionally, new VA examinations are required for the Veteran's service connection claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's preexisting pes planus did not increase in severity during service beyond its natural progression, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical opinions regarding his PTSD and foot disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to address issues related to service connection, including a VA examination and medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the etiology of any bilateral foot disability.

The Veteran's appeal for increased evaluations on multiple service-connected disabilities has been withdrawn by the Veteran, and he is currently assigned a noncompensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that his current condition is likely related to active service. The issue of service connection for pes planus remains pending and will be remanded.

The Veteran's status post fracture of the fifth metatarsal of the left foot was rated at a 10 percent disability rating prior to January 31, 2014. From that date onwards, his condition has not been compensated due to overlapping with pes planus.

The Board has denied the claims for service connection for bronchial asthma, back disorder, plantar wart of the right foot, hypertension, heart disorder, and tinnitus due to a finding that the character of discharge barred VA benefits. The remaining issues are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's foot disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for umbilical hernia, left leg and foot disabilities, right foot disability, and right leg disability has been withdrawn. The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current disability of the right foot characterized by blisters. Service connection is granted for acquired pes cavus, hammertoe of the right fifth toe, and plantar warts of the right foot as at least as likely as not resulting from service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment for which his education and occupational experience would otherwise qualify him.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for a current evaluation of his feasibility for vocational rehabilitation benefits.

The Board has determined that the reductions in evaluations for bilateral pes planus and upper back strain were not proper as they did not establish an improvement in the Veteran's ability to function under ordinary conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss in his left ear and a left foot disability, including pes planus and calluses. The issue of an initial compensable rating for calluses of the right foot remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's flat feet pre-existed service and did not increase in severity during service. The Veteran's hemoglobin C disease is considered a congenital condition, and there is no evidence of its manifestation or aggravation during service. Therefore, both conditions are denied as they do not meet the criteria for service connection.