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

The case is being remanded to obtain adequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's neck disability, headaches, and bilateral foot disability. The issues of service connection for these conditions are not currently decided.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, pes planus, and tinnitus are service-connected. The RO granted a 50% rating for bilateral hearing loss effective January 22, 2015. The Veteran is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for left foot plantar fasciitis. The Board finds that the Veteran's current right ankle, low back, upper back (neck), TBI residuals, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus are not established as service-connected.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to attend scheduled VA examinations and the need for additional examination and opinion regarding his service-connected conditions, as well as a new VA examination to assess any current respiratory disability. The claims will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's sensory neuropathy in the left foot is found to be related to his service-connected scars from plantar wart removal. The claim for a temporary total rating based on need for convalescence following April 2009 surgery and the TDIU claim are also granted.

The appellant's appeal has been dismissed as the appellant requested and was granted permission to withdraw his appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including C&P examinations and obtaining medical records.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for residuals of a right foot injury. The Veteran's statements, VA treatment records, and a June 2013 VA examination report have provided sufficient information to warrant reopening the previously denied claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, as secondary to his service-connected bilateral pes planus, was granted. His claim for an increased rating for bilateral pes planus was also granted and he is now rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, specifically obtaining SSA records related to his disability benefits.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete examination and treatment records, as well as the need for an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's left foot disorders.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was incurred during service and is granted as service connection. The June 1993 rating decision incorrectly determined that the condition existed at service entrance, which is found to be CUE.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus has been rated at the highest possible rating (50%) due to pronounced symptoms, including marked deformity and severe spasm of the Achilles tendon. The Veteran also meets criteria for a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's attorney withdrew the appeal for the issue of entitlement to an increased initial rating for bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's right ankle arthritis, bilateral flat feet and hammer toes, folliculitis, and hemorrhoids are all found to be related to her service. The Board grants these claims.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection, increased ratings for left knee disability and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The issues of entitlement to service connection have not been addressed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for periodontal disease is denied as the condition does not meet the criteria for compensation purposes. The claims for Bell's Palsy and pes planus are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,Service connection for pes planus was denied because the mild pes planus noted at entry did not worsen during active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claims for heart disorder, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, bilateral foot disability, and left knee arthritis have been denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for sinus disorder, headache disorder (migraine headaches), sleep apnea, and pes planus of the right foot. As such, these claims remain denied.