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

The Board finds that the Veteran's combined service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, effective as of April 30, 2010.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his service-connected right foot plantar fasciitis, left knee degenerative arthritis with subluxation, and right knee degenerative arthritis with subluxation due to incomplete examination reports. The claims are now before the Board for further review.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus is a congenital or developmental defect and not subject to compensation, as there was no evidence of any superimposed disease or injury. The preponderance of the evidence did not support service connection for his condition.

The evidence does not support a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral pes planus prior to February 16, 2010 and as 30 percent thereafter.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and seeking verification of herbicide agent exposure. The Veteran is also requested to provide a VA medical opinion regarding his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding service connection for bilateral pes planus and increased ratings for adjustment disorder with depressed mood, migraine headaches, post-operative right shoulder bursitis with scarring, lumbar spine strain, and bilateral hearing loss. The Board has no further jurisdiction to consider these matters.

The February 1984 rating decision denied service connection for left foot callouses, hallux valgus, and pes planus. The March 1985 Board decision denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for 'left foot callouses.'

The Veteran's bilateral flat feet with plantar fasciitis have been rated at 30 percent since April 3, 2003 and increased to 50 percent effective March 29, 2013. The Board found that a higher rating was warranted from July 18, 2011.

The Veteran withdrew the appeal of the issues of entitlement to service connection for a left foot disability, right plantar fasciitis, and hypertension.

The Veteran requested the withdrawal of her claims for higher ratings in multiple service-connected conditions, and the Board has dismissed these appeals.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be etiologically related to her active duty service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a video conference hearing. The appeal is not ready for appellate review until this additional development is completed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing the Veteran with a VA examination to determine if his current right shoulder disability is related to service. The pes planus issue remains pending.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since December 1, 2011. The Board finds that the symptoms of near-continuous panic or depression and neglect of personal appearance and hygiene more nearly approximate a 70 percent rating.,The Veteran is service-connected for multiple disabilities including PTSD, bilateral plantar fasciitis, degenerative joint disease of both knees, undiagnosed illness, left thumb fracture, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, left heel bone spurs, residuals from a left great toe fracture, and costochondritis. The Board finds that these conditions preclude the Veteran from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, low back disability, left hip and leg disabilities, headaches, right foot disability, and left foot disability. The decision also addressed whether new and material evidence had been received to reopen previously denied claims for right and left foot disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to insufficient explanation of the VA examiner's opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's low back disability and bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding service connection for a right foot disability.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of a fracture of the right foot, including neuroma and plantar fasciitis, are productive of moderately severe impairment warranting an evaluation of 20 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of any of the claimed disabilities and therefore, service connection cannot be granted for right ankle disability, right foot disability, impaired vision, or right hand disability.

The Veteran withdrew the appeal of the issue of entitlement to an increased disability rating for post-operative injury, left foot, with bunion, scars, and complex regional pain syndrome of the left lower extremity.