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

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus and granted his claim of service connection for PTSD. The Veteran was awarded a 30 percent rating effective June 29, 2009, for PTSD. His claims for higher ratings for tinnitus, valvular heart disease, hearing loss, and PTSD were denied.

The Veteran's bilateral foot pain, diagnosed as plantar fasciitis, had its onset during service and is caused by his service. The Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his request for withdrawal of all pending claims before the Board.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for swelling joints, sinusitis, bilateral pes planus, and sleep apnea. The remaining service connection issues are remanded for further development.

The Board has ordered the VA to obtain the Appellant's Reserve records from November 1989 to May 1993, and then readjudicate the claims. The case is REMANDED for these actions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral shin splints and plantar fasciitis are not related to service, while his groin rash is not shown to have developed in service. The psychiatric disability claim remains pending.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly assess the Veteran's right shoulder scars, DJD and impingement of the right shoulder, and bilateral plantar fasciitis with left heel spurs. The case will be remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disability, calcaneal spurs and pes planus, is found to be incurred in service. However, his right and left upper and lower extremity disabilities are not attributable to service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a back disorder has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his medical records.

The Board found that the Veteran's left hip disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service and may not be presumed to have been so incurred. The leg disability other than peripheral neuropathy, pes planus and restless leg syndrome was also not related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for a Travel Board hearing due to the Veteran's inability to attend the previously scheduled hearing. The appeal is also remanded for further development.

The Board found that the Veteran's left foot plantar fibroma excision scar warranted a 10 percent rating, as it was painful but not unstable. The current rating of 10 percent is considered adequate to rate the disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and industrial background.

The Veteran's moderately advanced osteoarthritis changes of the right great toe are rated at 10 percent, effective from November 14, 2007. His bilateral pes planus is currently rated at 50 percent, effective March 17, 2012.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment, and his claim for a TDIU rating is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected pes planus of the bilateral feet with plantar fasciitis has been rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 5276. The claim for an increased evaluation is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating and TDIU were denied. The Board found that the Veteran's foot disability was at worst pronounced, with severe pronation, extreme tenderness of the plantar surfaces of the feet, lack of improvement by orthotic appliances, and accompanied by functional loss bilaterally.

The Veteran has been diagnosed with traumatic brain injury and migraine headaches, both of which are found to be related to his service. The Board finds that the criteria for service connection have been met.,The Veteran is also service connected for right arm and hand numbness and flat feet, both of which are found to be related to his service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral foot disability is not related to his active service and denied his claim for service connection.