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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current folliculitis is incurred during active service and granted service connection for this condition. The other issues are addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral pes planus did not worsen during service, and there is no evidence of a current ankle condition related to service. Therefore, service connection for these conditions cannot be established.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral flat foot (pes planus) and plantar fasciitis. The remaining issues of service connection for left knee condition, hypertension, myocardial ischemia/infarction, right knee arthritis, sleep apnea, and left shoulder condition are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis began during service and have persisted since then, granting his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are of such severity as to effectively preclude all forms of substantially gainful employment for which the Veteran's education and occupational experience would otherwise qualify him, resulting in a grant of TDIU.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disability, characterized by plantar warts/calluses and hallux valgus deformity, is rated as moderate with a 10% evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus based on aggravation during active duty, and denied service connection for a heart disorder due to lack of evidence showing worsening during service.

The Board has granted separate 10 percent ratings for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis under Diagnostic Code 5284, which is the current rating criteria for flatfoot.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a bilateral knee disability, bilateral foot disability, deviated septum, sleep apnea, atypical left temple nevus, or residuals thereof. The Veteran's service treatment records are not associated with his claims file and it is presumed lost. Therefore, service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus, sarcoidosis, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and MDD), glaucoma, and chronic sinusitis are all service-connected based on direct evidence of their onset during military service.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for allergic rhinosinusitis, malaria, bilateral flat feet, and conjunctivitis. However, it denied reopening of the claims for TMJ, right shoulder disability, and other conditions due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's left foot disability, specifically plantar fasciitis and pes planus, was not rated higher than 20 percent from February 1, 2007 to January 3, 2014. From January 3, 2014 onwards, the maximum rating of 40 percent for actual loss of use of the foot is assigned.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for migraine headaches, lumbar spine disability, and bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis. The appeal is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the claims due to incomplete compliance with previous remand directives and the need for further examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral foot disability and residuals of a great toe injury are not service-connected as they are unrelated to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no evidence of current tinea pedis, and the preexisting bilateral pes planus and left ankle conditions did not meet the criteria for higher initial ratings.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus, diabetes mellitus type II, and peripheral neuropathy of all four extremities have been granted service connection with effective dates prior to February 7, 2011.

The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral pes planus did not increase in severity during service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete attempts at obtaining private medical records and inadequate VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the appellant requested withdrawal of the appeal.