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

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including rescheduling VA examinations and obtaining updated medical records.

The Board has determined that further development is needed before the claims for increased ratings for right ankle and right foot disabilities can be decided.

The Board has found that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder is related to his military service, and thus granted service connection for this condition. The remaining issues of service connection for various foot disabilities, back disability, and knee disabilities are addressed in detail below.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully and fairly consider the appellant's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral flat feet. The case will be processed as though the request for a hearing had been withdrawn.

The Veteran's right foot plantar fasciitis has been rated as 20 percent disabling prior to June 11, 2015, and 30 percent since that date. The Veteran's left foot plantar fasciitis was initially rated at 20 percent before May 31, 2013, and increased to 40 percent after that date.,The Board found the evidence did not support a higher rating for either condition.

The Board has granted service connection for left foot plantar fibromas and achilles tendonitis, right foot plantar fibromas and retro calcaneal spur, and right hip traumatic arthritis. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 40 percent disabling effective June 15, 2017. The Veteran's left foot condition with plantar fasciitis is rated at 20 percent disabling.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for reopening his service connection claim for residuals of cellulitis of the right leg and foot, as well as his claim for service connection for a left foot disability secondary to residuals of cellulitis of the right leg and foot. The evidence did not meet the criteria for reopening the claims or establish a direct relationship between the Veteran's current disabilities and his military service.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the appellant's current bilateral foot disability, characterized by plantar fasciitis, calcaneal spurs, and degenerative arthritis, was caused or aggravated by his active service. As a result, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not constitute an employment handicap as defined by VA regulations, and he is therefore not eligible for vocational rehabilitation benefits.

The Board found that the Veteran's pes planus pre-existed service and has not been aggravated beyond its natural progression, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted a single 30 percent rating for the appellant's bilateral foot disability, characterized by plantar fasciitis and hallux valgus caused by pes planus, effective April 2, 2013.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and foot disabilities, were not shown to be causally related to his active duty service. The evidence did not establish a nexus between any of these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining missing service treatment records and post-service medical records.

The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's current bilateral pes planus condition and his military service, including his in-service occupation as a truck mechanic. The Veteran's foot pain began three months after discharge, and there is no medical opinion linking the current disability to service.

The Veteran is entitled to a disability rating of 30 percent for his bilateral plantar fasciitis, effective September 14, 2011.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral foot disabilities, including pes planus and plantar fasciitis. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain another VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of her claimed bilateral foot disabilities.

The Veteran is granted a 10 percent rating for her low back disability, right hip disability, and right shoulder disability prior to December 19, 2016. The claim for service connection for cervical spine disability has been withdrawn.

The Board found that the Veteran's pes planus did not increase in severity during service and denied his claim for service connection. The other issues were either withdrawn or addressed.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for various respiratory and foot conditions, including residuals of pulmonary tuberculosis, scarring of lungs, aspergillosis, and pes planus. The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development.