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

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus warrants a 30 percent rating, effective May 30, 2012. The claims for residuals of right shoulder and sacrum injuries were granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's preexisting bilateral pes planus worsened during his service, warranting service connection.

The Veteran's claims for extraschedular rating for eczema and a compensable disability rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis are being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis of the right and left feet have not met the criteria for a higher evaluation under the applicable rating schedule, thus his claims are denied.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis with posterior tibial tendonitis is rated at 20 percent for the period on appeal, effective August 13, 2007.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected plantar fasciitis in both feet.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination and issuance of a Statement of the Case (SOC) on her right ankle disability claim.

The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection for a bilateral foot disability. The Veteran's claim for bladder disability was remanded due to incomplete records and the need for a more definitive opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there were no chronic symptoms of bilateral hearing loss during or within one year after service separation. The current bilateral hearing loss disability was not caused by his military service.

The Veteran's death was not service-connected due to the lack of continuous total disability rating for at least ten years prior to his death. The cause of death, rectal cancer, is not related to military service or exposure.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus with disfigured toenails has been manifested by mild symptoms relieved by built-up shoe or arch support inserts. The applicable schedular criteria are adequate to rate this disability under consideration at all points pertinent to the appeal, and no claim for a total rating based on unemployability due to this disability has been reasonably raised.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including gastroesophageal disability, tension headache disability, osteoarthritis of the thoracic and lumbar spine, bilateral plantar fasciitis with degenerative changes at the first metatarsophalangeal joint, cervical strain with degenerative joint and disc disease, left knee orthopedic disability, left elbow nerve disability, and tinnitus, meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU. The Veteran is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis, degenerative arthritis/disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine, and degenerative arthritis/disc disease of the cervical spine are being remanded due to a failure to issue a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC) after February 2015 examinations.

The Veteran's IBS and bilateral plantar fasciitis have been granted service connection.,He is also entitled to service connection for a neurological condition related to his service-connected thoracolumbar spine disorder.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for bilateral pes planus and Freiberg's disease, left second metatarsal were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable rating for bilateral pes planus prior to February 1, 2013 or a rating in excess of 10 percent from that date. For Freiberg's disease, the Veteran was granted an initial 10 percent rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's pes planus worsened during service and is related to his military service, granting service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left foot conditions, including calcaneal osteotomy, degenerative arthritis, and plantar heel spur, were not caused by his in-service left foot sprain. The bilateral knee replacements are also not considered secondary to any current left foot disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, finding that it first manifested during active service. The Veteran's other claims of service connection are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board granted service connection for costochondritis and bilateral hand disability, and increased ratings for right knee, left knee, and right ankle disabilities. The Veteran was also awarded a compensable rating for his hallux valgus and plantar fasciitis conditions. Service connection for the varicocele was established.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to specified dates for various service connection determinations. The appeals are dismissed.