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

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for bilateral pes planus and remanded the case for additional development to determine if a foot disability is related to military service, including aggravation by residuals of right ankle fractures. The Veteran's lay statements regarding ongoing symptomatology will be considered.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for bilateral flat feet and a bilateral leg disability, but denied the claim for service connection for a back disability. The appeal is granted to this extent only.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis secondary to diabetes was denied. His PTSD claim resulted in a grant of an initial rating of 70 percent, effective from January 28, 2010. The TDIU claim was denied as the Veteran did not meet the criteria prior to September 15, 2010.

The Board has remanded the case to schedule a videoconference hearing for the Veteran due to his request. The appeal is also remanded for additional development on the issues of evaluating bilateral hearing loss disability and reopening claims for bilateral foot, knee, and leg disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis was evaluated at a 10 percent rating prior to July 22, 2015. Since then, the condition has been rated at 30 percent.

The appeal has been dismissed as the appellant and his representative have withdrawn all issues on appeal.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral foot injuries. However, after reviewing all available evidence, including post-service medical records, the preponderance of the evidence is against finding a current disability related to service or any incident during service.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as he is not entitled to a rating in excess of 30 percent for his pes planus, left foot, with multiple callosities. He also does not meet the criteria for SMC based on need for aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining in-patient clinical records from Oak Knoll Naval Hospital and seeking any additional relevant medical records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including chronic lumbar myofascial strain and right foot conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since August 22, 2014. The Board has granted a TDIU on a schedular basis effective that date.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral knee and ankle disorders, and weak feet were denied as there is no evidence of a chronic disability during service or that any current disabilities are related to service.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary and the case is being remanded to obtain military personnel records and schedule a VA examination.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the claims of a rating in excess of 10 percent for tension headaches, entitlement to a compensable rating for an acquired left flat foot disability, and service connection for residuals of a right hand open wound injury. The Veteran will be provided with a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC) addressing these issues.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA medical opinion to address continuity of symptoms and whether it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's current right foot disability was incurred in or related to service. The appeal will be returned to the AOJ for further review.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral pes planus increased in severity during his active military service and is related to his service. Therefore, service connection for bilateral pes planus is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the functional impact of his service-connected disabilities and whether they markedly interfere with employment or require frequent periods of hospitalization. The claim will be referred to the Director, Compensation Service, for consideration of extraschedular entitlement if appropriate.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a left ankle disability incurred during or as a result of his active duty service, including as secondary to his service-connected pes planus.

The Veteran's pes planus with plantar fasciitis was not found to warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to May 27, 2015.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus and dorsal foot strain were not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's back, bilateral ankle, and bilateral foot disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by service or a service-connected disability.,Service connection for these conditions was denied.