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

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss before May 2, 2015 and a rating higher than 40 percent since May 2, 2015.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a new VA examination. The Veteran's service connection claim for a left foot disability is pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance for 2015, finding that he did not meet the criteria as his service-connected disabilities do not cause wear and tear on his clothing.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing addendum opinions from a VA examiner regarding the Veteran's claimed bilateral foot disability and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus, right foot plantar fasciitis, and right knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for residuals of a back injury, headaches, and bilateral flat feet due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, tinnitus, and bilateral pes planus. The Veteran is also awarded initial compensable ratings for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea and plantar fasciitis.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's preexisting bilateral pes planus was aggravated by service. The claim will be re-adjudicated after these actions.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral foot disability, including pes planus and other conditions such as hallux valgus, sesamoiditis, hammer toes, sinus tarsi syndrome, calcaneal spurs, and osteoarthritis, is not related to service. The preexisting pes planus did not increase in severity during service.

The Veteran's right ankle disability, including orthopedic and neurologic manifestations, is currently rated at 20 percent. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals seeking service connection for bilateral shoulder disability and a right foot disability prior to the Board's decision.

The Board denied the reduction of the disability rating for pes planus with hammertoes and callosities from 50% to 20%, finding that it was not supported by evidence showing actual improvement in the Veteran's ability to function under ordinary conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities are not related to his military service and therefore, denied all claims for service connection.

The Veteran withdrew her appeals for the claims of depressive disorder, bilateral pes planus, hypothyroidism, and a bilateral shin disability during her hearing. The remaining issues are not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's right foot bunionectomy residuals are rated at 10 percent, his pes planus is rated at 30 percent prior to October 24, 2005 and 10 percent from that date, and he has a separate rating for anterior metatarsalgia since December 28, 2012. The Veteran's keloid scar of the right foot remains rated at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's residuals of a right calf injury, left foot disability (pes planus), and left wrist disability are not service-connected as they were either preexisting conditions or did not worsen during service.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral foot disorders, including pes planus, hallux valgus with plantar heel spur and arthritic changes of the first MTP joint, and hammertoe deformities, were not incurred or aggravated by service. The preexisting conditions are considered developmental in nature.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability and granted service connection for bilateral foot disability. The Veteran's current bilateral foot disability is considered direct service connection.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, bilateral foot disability, and hypertension on a direct basis. The current decision addresses secondary service connection for these conditions.