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

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examination and development of his claims, specifically regarding his bilateral plantar fasciitis and TDIU.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection and granted them, finding that new and material evidence was received. Service connection is established for bilateral pes planus, left ankle degenerative arthritis, right and left foot equinus deformities, and bilateral plantar fasciitis. Rheumatoid arthritis is not service connected.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and pes planus were denied as there was no evidence of in-service occurrence or event, and the Board found that the current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left foot disability and an increased rating for his left ankle disability. The Veteran was granted a 20 percent rating for his left ankle disability effective June 19, 2007, and a 30 percent rating effective February 1, 2012.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his claims.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis and bone spurs of the feet, finding that these conditions had their onset in service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including obtaining service treatment records and a new VA examination. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral foot disability will be remanded to the AOJ.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hand disability, bilateral foot disability, and bilateral knee disability was denied. The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder clearly and unmistakably existed prior to active duty service and was not aggravated by such service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for increased ratings for bilateral pes planus, and the Board has dismissed the case as a result.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The issues of entitlement to an extraschedular rating for bilateral pes planus with hammertoes, Morton's metatarsalgia, and right hallux rigidus prior to September 11, 2015, and in excess of 50 percent thereafter, and entitlement to TDIU are also remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral peroneal brevis tendonitis did not manifest during service, is not related to active service, and was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis with pes planus. Therefore, the claim for service connection for bilateral peroneal brevis tendonitis is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's bilateral foot disability and acquired psychiatric disability, requiring additional examinations.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disorder is currently rated at 10 percent, effective May 5, 2015. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating.,For migraines, the Veteran was granted a 30 percent disability rating since November 19, 2003. The Board noted that there is no objective evidence of prostrating attacks or severe economic inadaptability to warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal is granted, with a TDIU being awarded due to his service-connected disabilities. The other claims remain pending and require further development.

The case is being remanded for further development and adjudication of the intertwined claims, including the claim for vocational rehabilitation and employment benefits. The Veteran's previously denied claim to reopen a service connection issue, as well as other service connection and increased rating claims are also on appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been reopened and is granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus has also been reopened and is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The appeals are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for referral to the VA Director of Compensation Service for adjudication under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b).

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus is currently rated at 30 percent from October 13, 2006 to August 22, 2016. The Board finds that the criteria for a 30 percent rating are more nearly approximated during this period.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral foot disability, including pes planus, had its onset during his period of active service and grants service connection for this condition.