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

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for patellofemoral pain syndrome and bilateral plantar fasciitis, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his active service.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's bilateral pes planus worsened during service and whether it is due to natural progression.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis had its onset during his military service and is granting service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for hammer toes and plantar fasciitis of both feet, as well as service connection for secondary ankle disability and lower extremity nerve disorder, were granted. The Veteran is now in receipt of a combined rating of 60 percent for the bilateral foot disabilities under the 'amputation rule' due to the maximum schedular ratings being assigned.

The Veteran's claim for a temporary total disability rating following surgery for bilateral plantar fasciitis is denied as the condition is not service-connected.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus with fibroma of the bilateral feet has been rated at 30 percent, effective March 31, 2010. The appeal for higher evaluations remains before the Board.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus is currently rated as 10 percent disabling for each foot, with no higher rating possible under the applicable diagnostic codes.,The VA examiner found that the Veteran's low back condition is less likely than not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected pes planus.

The Veteran's heart disability is not service-connected, and the Board finds that there is no evidence of a current disability. The appellant did not provide any credible medical opinion linking his heart disability to service.,There is insufficient evidence to find that the Veteran had a foot disability causally related to or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the issues of increased ratings for lumbosacral strain and residuals of a fracture of the 5th metatarsal shaft of the right foot, and service connection for osteoarthritis of the right foot and flat feet. The RO must address these issues when adjudicating the TDIU claim.

The Board finds that the weight of the competent and probative evidence is against a finding that any right great toe disability or bilateral plantar calcaneal spurs are related to service. The Veteran's in-service treatment records do not show injuries to these areas, and his current disabilities are more likely due to post-service work activities.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted prior to June 28, 2016. The issue of TDIU for the period beginning June 28, 2016 is moot due to her combined rating of 100 percent.

The Board granted a 20 percent rating for the left shoulder disability effective May 27, 2014. The Veteran's calluses of the feet are rated at 10 percent each and his hypertension is service-connected.

The Board has determined that the appellant's current left knee and left foot disabilities are not a result of his military service, and therefore denied both claims for service connection.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding the increased ratings for headaches and chest scars, as well as service connection claims for a lumbar spine disorder, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, bilateral pes planus, psoriasis, and hypertension.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for bilateral pes planus, toe disorders, a right thigh disability, or a psychiatric disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral foot disabilities, finding that there was no evidence to support a direct relationship between his current conditions and his military service or a service-connected back disability.

The Board granted a 20 percent rating for each foot, effective May 16, 2017.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone are not of sufficient severity to produce unemployability, and the Board denies entitlement to total disability due to individual unemployability.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the claims can be decided, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to address the Veteran's bilateral foot disability, left ankle disability, and back disability.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disability is currently rated at 30 percent, effective April 13, 2016. A separate 10 percent rating for metatarsalgia has been granted.