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

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and small plantar spurs, left foot, degenerative changes of the second metatarsal joint and talonavicular joint was rated at 10 percent prior to January 13, 2012. The current rating is 30 percent.,The Veteran's status-post right fifth finger proximal interphalangeal joint fracture with flexion deformity and ankylosis has been rated as noncompensable.

The Veteran's representative withdrew the appeal, expressing satisfaction with the increased rating assigned for his bilateral foot disability.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board denied higher initial ratings for the Veteran's cervical strain and lumbar strain. The case is remanded to obtain a new VA examination, address functional loss during flare-ups and on repeated use, and discuss MRI results from May 2006 and September 2008.

The Board finds that the Veteran was unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities prior to February 22, 2010 and grants a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine the etiology of any current right foot disability, including gout, hammer toe and peripheral neuropathy. The examiner is requested to provide opinions on whether these disabilities are related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected metatarsalgia with callosities and pes planus is of such severity as to result in loss of use of his right and left feet, entitling him to special monthly compensation (SMC) under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1114, subsection (k).

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA skin examination. The issues include increased ratings for foot disability and skin conditions, as well as TDIU and SMC.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the previously denied service connection claims for migraines, tinnitus, a bilateral hand disability (left and right), a left foot disability, an eye disability, a neck disability, a back disability, and a bilateral arm disability. The Veteran's claims of service connection remain denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's current foot conditions, including bilateral pes planus and other diagnoses such as arthritis of the feet, hallux valgus of the left foot, heel spur of the left foot, and Achilles calcaneal enthesophyte, are not related to his service. The Veteran's pes planus was found to have pre-existed service and was not aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine strain with degenerative arthritis, right and left knee strains, and bilateral hip strains are related to service. The Veteran's current foot disabilities (right metatarsalgia and left pes valgus, plantar fasciitis) are also found to be related to service.,The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for cervical spine strain with degenerative arthritis, right knee strain, left knee strain, right hip strain, left hip strain, and right foot disability (metatarsalgia), as well as left foot disability (pes valgus and plantar fasciitis).

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, to include as secondary to bilateral foot disability. The Veteran's current diagnosis of lumbar and thoracic sprains is found to be related to his military service.,Service connection is granted for the Veteran's bilateral foot disability, with pes planus being determined to have been aggravated by active duty service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for left foot disability, right foot disability, and generalized arthritis (gout, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis) have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal for these issues during a July 2017 Board hearing.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for right foot and urinary disabilities have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause his death. The appellant is seeking DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318, but the criteria for this benefit have not been met as the Veteran was not rated at a 100% disability level continuously for at least ten years immediately preceding his death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral foot disability, including pes planus, did not originate in service and is not otherwise etiologically related to service. The Veteran also did not incur an oral or dental trauma in-service for which he seeks service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral plantar fasciitis and a psychiatric disorder other than posttraumatic stress disorder and major depression, including a bipolar disorder are denied as there is no evidence of a connection between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to service connection for tinnitus and an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety. The remaining claims are dismissed due to withdrawal of appeal.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations for his left foot disability and low back disability were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increase in evaluation beyond the current ratings.

The Board found no current disability of plantar fasciitis and denied service connection. The Veteran's adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and dysthymia was rated at the maximum allowable under VA guidelines, but the Board did not find that it warranted a higher rating.