Foot (incl. plantar fasciitis, flat feet) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence, including a diagnosis of major depressive disorder during service and MRI results indicating brain abnormalities. The issues of service connection for various conditions are now considered on their merits.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral flatfoot, hallux valgus, bilateral plantar fasciitis, PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and paranasal sinusitis. The Veteran's claim for higher initial ratings for pseudofolliculitis barbae was also denied.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disability, including pes planus, hallux valgus, hallux limitus, hallux rigidus, and left hammer toes, is found to be secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability. The Veteran's gastrointestinal issues and right shoulder disability are not addressed in the decision summary provided.

The Veteran's claims for left foot disability, right foot disability, and right leg disability were dismissed. The Board granted service connection for left knee strain and degenerative joint disease, as well as lumbar degenerative disk disease and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim and granted service connection for left foot metatarsalgia, Morton's neuroma, and plantar fasciitis.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance of another person is being remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding his current service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, PTSD, bilateral pes planus, hammertoes of the left foot and right foot, as well as TDIU was denied. The Board found that there is no evidence to support a finding of in-service onset or aggravation of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his lumbar spine, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and right foot plantar fasciitis have been denied. The current ratings of 20 percent for each condition are deemed adequate.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision. The Veteran's bilateral pes planus, which existed before active service, was found to be aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the issues of high cholesterol, hypertension, sleep apnea, plantar fasciitis of the left foot, right knee disability, low back disability, bilateral shoulder disability, and bilateral elbow disability have been dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran at his hearing. The appeal for service connection on the issue of right hip disability is remanded.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding the issues of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen service connection for a right knee disability, service connection for a low back disability, a left hip disability, a right hip disability, a left foot disability, a right foot disability, bladder cancer, and PTSD.

The Veteran's diabetes type II is not related to his military service. The Board finds that VA examinations are needed for the left shoulder, left foot, and back disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral flat foot (pes planus).

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left foot and right knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records, scheduling new examinations, and addressing functional limitations during flare-ups.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral pes planus were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not establish a current disability of bilateral hearing loss or bilateral pes planus, as defined by VA regulations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral pes planus condition was aggravated by his active service, and therefore grants service connection for this disability.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus does not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU, nor has it been shown to preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation. The criteria for SMC based on loss of use of feet have also not been met.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the full nature of his right foot disability, including any associated neurological symptoms.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address his claims of service connection and rating for foot and knee disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have caused significant occupational and social impairment, warranting a 70 percent rating since June 16, 2015. The Board has considered the impact of his other diagnosed conditions on his overall disability picture.