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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral foot disability, including peripheral neuropathy and onychomycosis, is not related to service and did not manifest during any applicable presumptive period.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating under DC 5276 for the right foot disability and a 10 percent rating under DC 5279.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a bilateral foot disability. The case has been remanded due to inconsistencies in the medical opinions provided and the need for further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus was rated at a maximum schedular rating of 50 percent effective February 18, 2016.,A TDIU was granted on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including new examinations to assess the severity of his GERD and right foot plantar fasciitis.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for atopic eczema with tinea pedis, onychomycosis, scars, and plantar keratosis was withdrawn. The claims of service connection for hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol and triglycerides) and diabetes mellitus were denied as there is no evidence that these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, resulting in a combined disability rating of 80 percent. The Board finds that the Veteran is unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation by reason of service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee disorders (DJD and patellofemoral syndrome) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right foot disability. However, a rating in excess of 20 percent for DJD of the lumbar spine, L4-L5, is denied.

The Board has dismissed the appeal concerning the right hip disability claim as the Veteran withdrew his appeal in February 2016.,Service connection for bilateral pes planus is granted on an aggravation basis, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his low back strain and bilateral pes planus was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for either condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left foot disability, including his amputation of the fifth ray, is caused or aggravated by his service-connected right leg amputation below the knee. As such, the Veteran is granted service connection for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's right hand condition, bilateral foot condition, and reactive airway disease due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his active service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work.

The Veteran's right and left feet were rated at 10 percent prior to December 10, 2015, and increased to 20 percent thereafter. The Board found that the evidence did not support ratings in excess of these assigned percentages.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus, finding that his pre-existing condition did not increase in severity during active duty service and therefore could not be considered aggravated.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to outstanding VA and private medical records, as well as clarification of the June 2017 VA opinion.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus has been rated at 30 percent since the initial grant of service connection. The VA examiners have consistently found that his symptoms, while painful and limiting, do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his attorney, and therefore the case is dismissed without prejudice.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to the receipt of a request for withdrawal prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Veteran's claims for initial ratings for bilateral plantar fasciitis and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of medical records.