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

The Board has granted service connection for left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with recurrent subluxation. The claims of service connection for a left foot disability and right foot disability were denied.

The Board has determined that there is no current evidence of a skin condition (tinea pedis) or any other foot disability, including bilateral pes planus and degenerative arthritis. The Veteran's preexisting mild pes planus did not increase in severity during service, and the arthritis found at the time of the August 2014 VA examination is considered to be a natural progression of the preexisting pes planus.

The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection for a bilateral foot disability or low back disability, as there was no credible evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, a bilateral foot disorder (including plantar fasciitis and pes planus), and a back disorder. The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for the right shoulder disability are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service and granted service connection. However, there is no evidence of aggravation of pes planus by service, and thus service connection for pes planus is denied.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal for service connection for a left varicocele. The Board found that he had bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus incurred in service.

The Veteran's claim to reopen his pes planus service connection was granted, and the Board found that the evidence raised a reasonable possibility of substantiating his claim. Service connection for pes planus is now granted.,Regarding the low back condition secondary to pes planus, the Board found that the Veteran's low back condition was aggravated by his service-connected pes planus.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 20 percent, and his bilateral knee and foot disabilities are each rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address his claims of service connection and increased ratings for various knee disabilities, as well as his right eye disability. The case will be returned to the AOJ after completion of this development.

The Veteran's asthma disability is presumed to have existed prior to service and was not aggravated by service. The Board denied the remaining claims for service connection.

The Veteran's shortening of the right lower extremity is found to be caused by his service-connected right sacroiliac degenerative joint disease, and thus granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's lung disorder and foot disability claims were denied. The lung disorder claim was based on exposure to mustard gas, but no such condition was found. The foot disability claim was granted service connection, but the effective date is set at September 13, 1999.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and bilateral pes planus are related to his service. The criteria for service connection have been met.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss or a bilateral foot disability for which service connection can be granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected knee and foot disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete compliance with previous remand instructions and the need for additional examination.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for bilateral pes planus with calluses, osteotomies and hallux rigidus prior to September 1, 2000 is denied. The appellant is currently assigned the maximum schedular rating of 50 percent for his service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's current bilateral foot, knee, and back disabilities. The Veteran is requested to provide any outstanding medical records and a VA examination will be scheduled.