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

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new examination to assess the severity of his service-connected bilateral foot disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal for service connection for a bilateral foot disability is withdrawn. The claim of service connection for left nasal septal deviation was denied as there is no evidence linking this condition to his military service.

The Veteran's headaches are service-connected, and the other conditions have not been linked to his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus with right plantar fasciitis and right knee patellar dislocation were granted increased ratings of 30 percent effective November 4, 2015.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's preexisting bilateral flat feet and chronic fasciitis were not incurred or aggravated by service, thus denying his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's plantar fasciitis of the bilateral lower extremities has been rated as 10 percent disabling since July 11, 2013. The condition is not considered service-connected due to a direct relationship and no presumptive exposure basis.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis has been found to more closely approximate a severe bilateral foot disability since the beginning of his claim, with symptoms including increased pronation, acquired pes cavus with hammertoes, accentuated pain on manipulation and use of the feet, tenderness, and plantar callosities. As such, he is now rated at 30% for this condition.

The Board found no evidence that the Veteran's small arches, plantar fasciitis, or sinus tarsi syndrome were incurred in service. The examiner concluded these conditions are not related to his hallux valgus.

The Veteran's chronic bilateral feet strain, previously evaluated as bilateral pes planus, was granted a 30 percent rating effective May 1, 2009 and prior to March 3, 2015.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to ensure proper development and consideration of the Veteran's claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pes planus was not incurred during service and is denied. For his acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, schizoaffective disorder, depression, cannabis dependence, cocaine dependence, the evidence is mixed with some support for a connection to service but also conflicting evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for bilateral pes planus and service connection for a left elbow disability. The Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating for his pes planus, as it more closely approximates the criteria for a 10 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 5276. There is no current evidence of a left elbow disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and consideration of her claims, including a new VA examination for her bilateral foot disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral flat feet has been reopened, but the evidence does not establish a direct relationship to his military service. His right hip disability is not shown to be related to his service-connected flat feet.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was denied as he failed to report for the necessary VA examination, and his refusal constitutes a failure to cooperate in the development of his claim.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis and hearing loss have been granted service connection, but his increased rating for bilateral hearing loss has been denied.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral pes planus with metatarsalgia and callus formation, but granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The right hand, wrist, and elbow disability issue is pending in the remand portion of this decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his bilateral foot disability and its relationship to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to address the severity of her service-connected lumbar spine disability, bilateral foot disability, and TDIU claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability, hypertension, and bilateral pes planus were not incurred in or aggravated by active service.