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

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her hysterectomy residuals was denied, and she is not entitled to TDIU due to the severity of her service-connected disabilities.

The Board finds that service connection is granted for plantar fasciitis of the right foot, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis was rated at 10 percent from November 4, 2010 through January 24, 2016 and increased to 30 percent beginning January 25, 2016.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a new examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's bilateral pes planus and the nature and etiology of any possible degenerative joint disease in his feet.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including his right knee, right foot, and right ankle disabilities, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board grants the TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected right foot disability and whether he should be rated separately for pes planus. The case will return to the AOJ for readjudication.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis and pes cavus were manifested by all toes tending to dorsiflexion, limitation of dorsiflexion at ankle to right angle, shortened plantar fascia, and marked tenderness under metatarsal heads for the period prior to December 6, 2013. The RO granted an initial 30 percent rating effective from that date.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for a bilateral foot disability, finding that new and material evidence was presented. The appeal is now on the merits.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for a new examination of the Veteran's bilateral foot disability. The issue of TDIU is also referred for consideration under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b).

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a new opinion on the issue of service connection for bilateral pes planus. The other issues are also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a need for clarification of the severity and manifestations of the service-connected bilateral bunions with degenerative joint disease of both first metatarsophalangeal joints and bilateral pes planus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus and left ankle disorder (PTT insufficiency) are service-connected. The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is considered a direct result of his active duty, while his PTT insufficiency is found to be secondary to his service-connected pes planus.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus with fracture of the right great toe disability was rated at 10 percent prior to October 23, 2010 and denied for a higher rating. Beginning October 23, 2010, the disability was rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis disability has been rated at 30 percent since July 28, 2009. The current rating is the highest possible under Diagnostic Code 5276.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, bilateral pes planus, and a residual scar from an upper lip injury are all denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or in-service incurrence.,There is no competent medical evidence showing the Veteran has any of these conditions.

The Veteran's initial ratings for right foot plantar fasciitis, surgical scars of the bilateral shoulders, and gouty arthropathy as secondary to service-connected nephrolithiasis were granted. The rating for surgical scars of the bilateral shoulders was increased to 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to an inadequate October 2014 medical opinion. The Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral pes planus, which is secondary to his service-connected left ankle fracture residuals, will be reconsidered.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is manifested by pain, flare-ups, stiffness, weakness, swelling, Achilles tendonitis, and the varying presence of characteristic calluses and an unusual shoe-wear pattern. The Board finds that the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent have not been met.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the cyst of the mid back and chest pains have been withdrawn. The remaining issues are being remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed psychiatric, foot, knee, and thyroid disabilities are not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to her active duty.