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

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus. The claim of secondary service connection for bilateral knee arthritis is remanded as the opinion provided does not address this issue.

The Veteran withdrew the appeals for all issues listed on the title page of this decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to pending issues and requests for new VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right ear hearing loss disability for VA purposes and thus, service connection is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for bilateral pes planus was denied. The maximum schedular rating of 50 percent has been assigned since October 11, 2014.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination and reviewing the claims file to determine if there are any new or changed conditions warranting different ratings.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis prior to June 8, 2010, was found to be a moderate foot injury and warranted an initial compensable rating of 10 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (migraines, bilateral pes planus, and tinnitus) did not meet the schedular percentage criteria for TDIU prior to September 14, 2001. The combined rating of 60% was from different conditions with no common etiology or accident.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for increased ratings for adjustment disorder with depressed mood and pes planus, as well as a claim to reopen service connection for Hepatitis C. The Board has determined that additional development is necessary in order to properly adjudicate these issues.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for bilateral pes planus and right ankle degenerative joint disease was denied. The Veteran is not entitled to a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to December 13, 2011, or in excess of 20 percent after that date.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was granted service connection. The Veteran's left foot condition to include plantar fasciitis and his left shoulder disability were not addressed due to lack of appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including valvular heart disease with mitral stenosis, right knee replacement, degenerative arthritis and chondromalacia of the left knee, and bilateral pes planus, have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance. The Board has granted special monthly compensation based on this need.

The Veteran's service-connected tender scar, left foot, status-post plantar wart removal with subsequent removal of painful scar tissue is rated at 30 percent, which constitutes a full grant of the appeal.

The Veteran's right knee patellofemoral syndrome has been rated at 10 percent since July 21, 2015. The Veteran's bilateral pes planus disability was increased to a 30 percent rating effective July 21, 2015.,Both conditions have remained stable and continue to be rated under the appropriate diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral foot disorder, including pes planus, is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and development of his medical records.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral foot and shoulder disabilities were denied as the evidence did not establish a link between his current conditions and active military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for pes planus and recurrent STD residuals. The VA examinations will determine if these conditions are related to active service.

The Veteran's service-connected left foot disability, including status post left heel fracture with plantar fasciitis and left ankle DJD, has been rated at 20 percent since April 28, 2006. The Board found that the evidence supports a rating of 30 percent for this condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis and disability of the skin of the feet, to include tinea pedis (jungle rot). The VA examinations did not address all issues on appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.