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

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a bilateral foot disability, to include bone spurs. The pre-existing pes planus was not shown to be aggravated by service and there is no evidence of a bone spur or other foot disability during the appeal period.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral inguinal hernias and bilateral plantar keratosis, effective March 15, 2010. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder disability, hypertension, epididymitis, and bilateral flat feet due to lack of evidence showing onset during active service or within one year of discharge. The VA examiners provided negative nexus opinions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for pes planus of the left foot is denied as there is no current diagnosis. The Veteran has a currently assigned rating for his hallux malleus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations to determine the current severity of his right foot plantar fasciitis and right forearm scarring, as well as any functional limitations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and a VA examination to assess the severity of his left foot pes planus.

The Board has determined that the submitted evidence is not new and material, thus denying the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for pes planus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral foot disabilities are not etiologically related to service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal was granted, with the exception of his request for a TDIU rating. The left shoulder and low back disorders were rated at 10 percent each, while the left knee disorder received a staged rating from 10 to 20 percent.

The Veteran's initial rating for left foot pes planus was denied as the evidence did not show symptoms warranting a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render her unemployable prior to February 29, 2008. Since then, she has had a combined schedular disability rating of 100 percent and is contending that she is unemployable due to the combination of these same service-connected disabilities.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability and bilateral foot disability (claimed as ingrown toenails). However, the claim for service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability is not granted because there is no evidence of a nexus between his in-service injury and current disability. The claim for service connection for a bilateral foot disability remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as the evidence did not provide a current disability and there was no medical examination to substantiate his claims.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the relationship of the Veteran's current disabilities to service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal regarding bilateral upper extremity frostbite residuals was withdrawn. The claim for service connection for a deviated septum has been reopened and granted.,Service connection is granted for the Veteran's deviated septum, bilateral pes planus, right ear hearing loss, and tinnitus. Service connection for left ear hearing loss is denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's requests to reopen his claims for service connection for residuals of a shell fragment wound and bilateral foot disability. The appeal is dismissed for the claim of an initial compensable rating for hemorrhoids.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal of the denials for service connection and increased ratings, leaving only the severance of service connection for left shoulder tendonitis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disorder, lower and middle back disorder, and pes planus. The appeals were decided on the merits of the evidence presented.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for a left arm burn scar. However, the Veteran's right foot disability is not found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus was rated at a non-compensable level prior to November 2, 2015. After that date, his disability evaluation for the condition increased to 50 percent, which is the maximum schedular evaluation. The Veteran's PTSD was not found to warrant an evaluation in excess of 70 percent.